Former US Olympian David Hearn has pleaded not guilty to charges of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn appeared in court in Washington D.C. and faces a felony charge of destruction of property for allegedly causing $1,000 in damages.
Prosecutors allege Hearn "ripped" a piece of the recently installed sealant in a "deliberate act" on June 19, according to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, was detained last month and told BBC News at the time that the sealant had already "delaminated." His attorneys have countered that he "didn't destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part" of the paint.
President Donald Trump has blamed vandals for damage to the pool's new coating. Hearn's legal team has accused the Trump administration of charging their client to shift blame for the pool's problem-plagued renovation. "If Mr. Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk," said Norm Eisen, one of Hearn's attorneys. "It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America."
The Reflecting Pool underwent a multi-million dollar resealing and painting project this spring. The monument had long suffered from structural failures and leaks, and Trump had championed the project as a beautification effort for the capital. However, despite the estimated $13 million cost, the pool has continued to be affected by algae, and pieces of the blue sealant peeled off within days of its completion.
Authorities have arrested five people in connection with vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, with five others issued federal citations, according to U.S. Park Police. National Park Service official Frank Lands stated in a court filing that the pool liner was cut with a sharp knife or razor around June 9.
Crews began draining the Reflecting Pool for the second time in three months on Sunday, according to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. Burgum said the clean-up would also involve repairing vandalism damage and addressing debris from fireworks used during July 4 celebrations. "Drain the water. Clean up the fireworks stuff. Repair the vandalism that was done. Fill it back up again," Burgum stated.
Hearn, 67, is scheduled to appear in court again on August 5.