Ex-Olympian pleads not guilty to Reflecting Pool vandalism charges
Former US Olympian David “Davey” Hearn has pleaded not guilty to charges of vandalising the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a court appearance in Washington, DC.
Hearn has been charged with felony destruction of property after allegedly causing about $1,000 (£750) worth of damage to the landmark.
The case comes after President Donald Trump blamed acts of vandalism for damage to the pool’s newly applied protective coating. Hearn was arrested last month after touching part of the coating, which he later told the BBC had already “delaminated.”
Speaking outside the courthouse on Thursday, one of Hearn’s lawyers, Norm Eisen, argued that his client had committed no crime.
“If Mr Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk,” Eisen said.
“It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America,” he added.
Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympic canoeist, is scheduled to return to court on August 5.
Authorities allege that he was seen reaching into the Reflecting Pool in June, shortly after renovation works had been completed.
Announcing the charges last week, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro claimed Hearn intentionally tore away part of the newly installed sealant during an incident on June 19.
However, Hearn has denied the allegation, insisting he “didn’t destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part” of the coating.
According to the US Park Police, five people have been arrested in connection with vandalism at the Reflecting Pool, while another five have received federal citations.
Hearn’s legal team argues that the Trump administration is unfairly targeting him in an attempt to divert attention from problems surrounding the recently completed refurbishment of the site.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a multimillion-dollar resealing and repainting project earlier this year as part of broader efforts to restore the iconic monument.
President Trump has championed the renovation as part of his initiative to improve the appearance of the nation’s capital.
Despite the estimated $13 million (£9.8 million) makeover, the pool has continued to experience problems, including algae growth and sections of the blue sealant peeling away just days after the work was completed.
Court documents filed by National Park Service official Frank Lands state that part of the pool’s liner was cut with a sharp object, such as a knife or razor blade, around June 9.
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