Ex-US Olympian indicted over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism

A former U.S. Olympic canoeist faces felony charges for allegedly vandalizing the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. David Hearn, 67, was indicted on a charge of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the pool's lining material on June 19, causing damages exceeding $1,000.

The indictment, brought in local Superior Court, accuses Hearn of "maliciously" breaking or destroying the lining. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The incident occurred shortly after a $14.7 million renovation project on the pool was completed, a project that had drawn criticism regarding algae blooms and peeling coatings.

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maliciously

President Donald Trump and his administration had repeatedly blamed vandals for the issues plaguing the pool following the renovation. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro, a Trump ally, stated that Hearn "forcefully and violently" pulled on the pool liner and confronted a National Park Service employee. Park Police arrested Hearn at the scene.

However, Hearn's lawyers assert his innocence, arguing that the Trump administration is leveraging the case to deflect from alleged mismanagement of the renovation project. Hearn himself has acknowledged reaching into the pool while cycling and tugging on a detached piece of liner, but denies removing any material or causing extensive damage. Pirro stated that Hearn damaged approximately two square feet of the liner, while Trump had previously claimed much larger cuts. Hearn is the first individual to face criminal charges in connection with the pool's damage, though at least six others were previously arrested on suspicion of vandalism.

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forcefully and violently