A former Olympic athlete has been indicted on felony charges for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., according to prosecutors who announced the charges Thursday.
David Hearn, who competed in three Olympics as a canoeist, faces up to 10 years in prison after being charged with felony destruction of property. The U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, stated that a grand jury approved the charges following an incident last month where Hearn allegedly used his hands to remove approximately two square feet of the pool’s epoxy primer material.
The charges stem from an alleged violation of D.C. Code Section 22-303, which covers malicious destruction of property. The case reached felony status because the damage exceeded $1,000 in value, according to prosecutors.
During a press conference announcing the indictment, Pirro drew parallels to the 2020 protests that saw various monuments defaced across the country. She characterized such acts as anarchic behavior that threatens civilized society and emphasized that individuals cannot unilaterally decide the fate of national monuments.
The incident occurred against the backdrop of ongoing renovations to the reflecting pool ahead of the nation’s 250th anniversary celebrations. A controversial $6.9 million contract was awarded to Atlantic Industrial Coatings to paint the pool’s bottom in what has been described as “American Flag blue,” departing from its traditional gray color. The contractor had previously worked on projects at the Trump National Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia.
The renovation project has drawn criticism from various quarters, including the Cultural Landscape Foundation, which unsuccessfully attempted to block the repainting through legal action. Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the cosmetic changes, noting that the pool has struggled with persistent algae problems since its construction in 1924. Despite a $34 million renovation effort in 2012 specifically targeting filtration and plumbing issues, algae blooms returned within weeks of completion.
Following Hearn’s arrest on June 19, security measures around the reflecting pool have been significantly enhanced. National Guard troops now patrol the area, while the National Park Service has installed perimeter fencing and surveillance cameras with warnings against loitering.
Prosecutors revealed that Hearn was one of seven individuals arrested in connection with vandalism at the reflecting pool. While specific details were not provided, authorities indicated that some suspects would face misdemeanor charges while others, depending on the extent of damage caused, could face felony prosecution.
Hearn’s legal team, consisting of Norm Eisen from Democracy Defenders Fund and Mary Dohrmann from the Washington Litigation Group, has maintained their client’s innocence. In a statement released following the indictment, they characterized the charges as outrageous and suggested the prosecution represents an attempt by the administration to deflect blame for its own shortcomings. They expressed concern about what they view as government overreach against an ordinary citizen.
The case has emerged during a period of heightened tension surrounding changes to Washington’s historic monuments and public spaces. The reflecting pool project continues to face scrutiny from preservation advocates who question both the aesthetic choices and practical effectiveness of the renovations.
As the legal proceedings move forward, the case highlights ongoing debates about the preservation, modification, and protection of national monuments in the nation’s capital.
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