WASHINGTON, July 2 (DC Times Online) — Former U.S. Olympian and canoeist David Hearn was indicted in Washington, D.C., on a felony property-destruction charge tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to court records and a statement from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Prosecutors allege Hearn damaged part of the pool’s liner or sealant and caused more than $1,000 in damage, according to Pirro’s remarks reported by the New York Post and ABC Australia. The reports did not include the full charging language from the indictment.
Hearn has denied vandalizing the site. In an interview with ABC News, he said he stopped during a bike ride to look at the newly renovated Reflecting Pool and touched a loose piece of blue coating, but did not tear or break anything.
“I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool,” Hearn told ABC News.
His attorney, Norm Eisen, said the defense would fight the case. “There’s no justification for this. We plan to challenge it vigorously,” he told The Hill.
Reports said Hearn was arrested by U.S. Park Police after the June 19 encounter at the Reflecting Pool and was later scheduled to appear in D.C. court on July 9.
