Ex-Olympian Accused of Damaging Lincoln Memorial Pool; Faces 10 Years in Prison

A former U.S. Olympic kayaker faces serious charges for allegedly damaging the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. David Hearn, 67, was indicted on a felony charge of destruction of public property, which carries a potential 10-year prison sentence.

The incident occurred on June 19, with National Park Service employees reportedly witnessing Hearn "violently pulling and tearing the liner of the pool with both hands." The pool, a prominent feature at the foot of the Lincoln Memorial, was recently refurbished as part of President Donald Trump's urban beautification initiatives ahead of the nation's 250th independence anniversary.

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Today a grand jury has issued a felony indictment against a defendant, David Hearn, for destruction of property, for which he faces ten years in prison.

However, the renovation, which cost approximately $14 million, has been marred by recurring problems. Shortly after its unveiling in early June, the pool began to develop algae, a persistent issue since its original construction in 1922. Additionally, the dark blue liner chosen by Trump for the pool's bottom started to crack. Trump himself attributed these issues to "vandalism" on June 22, a claim criticized by opponents of the project.

Hearn, who represented the U.S. in canoeing at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic Games, told The Washington Post that he only reached into the water to retrieve a piece of the synthetic liner that was floating. The first hearing in his case is scheduled for July 9. The controversy has also spilled onto social media, with videos circulating that allegedly show individuals interacting with the pool.

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the only thing I did was reach into the water and pull out a piece of the synthetic protection of the bottom of the pool that was floating.