Former U.S. Olympian and canoeist David Hearn is indicted by a Washington, D.C. grand jury over alleged vandalism at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Multiple outlets report that the case stems from an incident in June when Hearn was arrested at the pool. The indictment alleges that Hearn “maliciously” broke, destroyed, or ripped up lining material at the bottom of the Reflecting Pool. The Hill and other reports say the charge is felony destruction of property, with prosecutors noting potential prison exposure of up to about 10 years.
Prosecutors, including the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, describe the act as deliberate and tied to recently installed sealant or lining associated with renovation work. Euronews reports a stated damage amount exceeding €875. Hearn’s representatives deny wrongdoing. Fox News and The Guardian, among others, say Hearn claims he only touched a peeling piece of liner. The Guardian also notes that Donald Trump previously discussed the renovation and attributed the pool damage to vandals, as the case proceeds in Washington, D.C. courts.
