​Former US Olympian David “Davey” Hearn appeared in a Washington, DC court and entered a not guilty plea to charges stemming from alleged vandalism of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympic canoeist, is accused of causing about $1,000 (roughly £750) in damage to the pool and faces a felony destruction of property charge. He is scheduled to return to court on August 5.
Prosecutors say Hearn was observed reaching into the water last month after renovations to the pool. The U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia, Jeanine Pirro, announced the charge, claiming that Hearn “ripped” a portion of the newly installed sealant in what she described as a deliberate act to inflict damage on June 19. Hearn has contended that he did not destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part of the paint, telling the BBC that he did not intend harm.
Outside the courthouse, Hearn’s attorney Norm Eisen argued that charging someone with a felony for merely touching the Reflecting Pool sets a dangerous precedent. “If Mr. Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk. It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America,” Eisen said.
Authorities say Hearn was seen reaching into the water during renovations. Five people have already been arrested in connection with vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, while five others have received federal citations, according to US Park Police.
Hearn’s legal team has criticized the Trump administration, suggesting motive to blame the administration for the make-over’s problems rather than the accused. The Reflecting Pool’s multi-million-dollar resealing and painting project this spring was intended to address long-standing structural failures and leaks and was championed by President Donald Trump as part of a broader effort to beautify Washington, DC. Despite the substantial investment, the pool has continued to experience algae growth, and sections of the new blue sealant reportedly peeled away shortly after application.
A court filing from a National Park Service official stated that liner along the bottom of the Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor around June 9. Crews drained and refilled the pool during a second project in three months, beginning again on a recent Sunday, as reported by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. The cleanup has included debris from the Fourth of July fireworks display, which scattered remnants into the water.
As part of the ongoing maintenance, Burgum indicated plans to repair the pool’s lining during the cleanup, with additional efforts to drain, clean, and refill the Reflecting Pool as needed. The episode continues to unfold as investigators evaluate what occurred during the post-renovation period and how best to restore and maintain this iconic monument, which remains a focal point of national attention and a symbol of the nation’s capital.