Former Olympian indicted after arrest over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism
Prosecutors say Hearn caused more than $1,000 in damage after touching the pool’s liner, and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
- On Thursday, a D.C. grand jury indicted former Olympian David Hearn on a felony count of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced, carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
- President Donald Trump blamed vandals for issues following a $14 million spring renovation that painted the pool 'American flag blue,' prompting the administration to launch multiple investigations into alleged destruction at the monument.
- Prosecutors allege Hearn 'forcefully and violently' ripped approximately two square feet of sealant on June 19, causing over $1,000 in damage; Hearn's attorneys deny the charge, calling it a 'concocted narrative' to shift blame for renovation failures.
- Hearn maintains he only touched a loose piece of sealant out of curiosity during a bike ride and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to appear before D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
- Federal officials plan to drain the Reflecting Pool after the July 4 holiday for repairs, while U.S. Attorney Pirro's office investigates approximately six other related vandalism cases at the site.
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David Hearn is accused of damaging the bottom of the pool. He denies the charges.
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Former canoeer David Hearn has denied causing damage and says he simply touched a loose piece of the blue coating that was being detached "to satisfy my curiosity as a citizen" Read
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