Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a felony charge of property destruction related to the recently renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, a canoe racer who competed in three Summer Olympics, entered the plea through his attorney in D.C. Superior Court.
The 67-year-old from Bethesda, Maryland, is accused of causing more than $1,000 in damage to the pool's new coating. Hearn's defense attorneys have called the prosecution an abuse of prosecutorial power and a politically motivated attempt to shift blame.
Hearn previously told The Associated Press that he stopped by the pool during a bike ride on June 19 and reached in to examine peeling sealant. He stated he let go of a chunk when instructed by a park worker. "It's a completely unfounded accusation. It's a lie," Hearn told the Daily Mail. "I didn't rip, tear, destruct, destroy, or harm in any way, any part of the reflecting pool."
The Reflecting Pool underwent a multimillion-dollar renovation, championed by former President Donald Trump, ahead of the country's 250th independence celebrations. However, the project has been plagued by issues, including algae blooms and peeling paint, less than two weeks after its completion on June 6. Trump has alleged that vandals damaged the pool, suggesting fertilizer was dumped and the coating was slashed.
Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, who oversees many of Trump's beautification programs, stated that vandalism at the pool began as early as June 9, predating Hearn's alleged actions. Burgum indicated that the Department of the Interior did not publicize the early vandalism to avoid encouraging copycat incidents. He also noted that there were few cameras in the area initially.
At least three other individuals have been charged with misdemeanors for allegedly removing pieces of paint from the pool and have also pleaded not guilty. Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor for the District of Columbia, emphasized in a statement that vandalizing national monuments is an "affront to our shared history" and that the law applies equally to everyone.
DC Superior Court Judge Carmen McLean released Hearn pending trial without requiring court supervision, though a prosecutor mentioned a "stay-away order." Hearn's attorney, Mary Dohrmann, argued that Hearn is an "upstanding citizen" and that the government's evidence is weak. Dozens of supporters gathered outside the courthouse to show their support.
Adam Van Grack, who chaired the U.S. Olympic national governing body for canoe and kayak sports, defended Hearn, highlighting his decades of voluntary work maintaining National Park Service property used for training. "The idea that he is a malicious destroyer of federal property shocks the conscience and makes no sense to anybody who’s ever known Davey Hearn," Van Grack said.
Hearn's attorneys stated that the charges are based on a "concocted narrative" and that the justice system should "determine facts, not to provide political cover."
The pool's repairs are ongoing, with drainage beginning this week to address liner issues. A status hearing for Hearn's case is scheduled for August 5.