Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn has been indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., on charges of destruction of property following an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The charges stem from events on June 19, when Hearn was arrested at the landmark, which had recently undergone a $16 million renovation ahead of the nation’s semiquincentennial.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that National Park Service employees observed Hearn intentionally pulling up and removing sections of the pool’s new protective liner. If convicted, the three-time Olympian faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Hearn’s legal team has denied the allegations, characterizing the prosecution as a “misuse of government power against an ordinary citizen.” In an interview with the Washington Post, Hearn maintained his innocence, claiming he was merely inspecting a section of the liner that was already detaching. He stated, “I didn’t break or peel anything,” and suggested that he was attempting to secure a loose piece of material rather than vandalizing the site.
The incident occurs amid ongoing public scrutiny regarding the quality of the pool’s recent restoration. Following its reopening, reports emerged of flaking liner material and returning algae blooms. While some experts have speculated that the polyurea coating application was rushed, contractors have dismissed claims of poor workmanship as minor. Park Police reports also indicate that the pool’s sealant has faced other instances of damage, including cuts from sharp objects and debris being thrown into the water, leading to heightened security measures around the site.