Key facts
- Former Olympian David Hearn indicted on felony property destruction charge.
- Alleged vandalism of Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool involved ripping sealant.
- Damage estimated at over $1,000.
- Hearn denies charges; lawyers claim Trump administration orchestrated the case.
- Incident occurred during Trump administration's beautification efforts.
Former Olympian David Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge of property destruction for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Prosecutors claim Hearn "forcefully and violently" ripped recently installed sealant from the bottom of the pool, causing more than $1,000 in damage. Hearn, a three-time Olympic canoeist, denies the charges and states he merely put his hand in the water out of curiosity. His lawyers, Norm Eisen and Mary Dohrmann, have accused the Trump administration of orchestrating the charges, calling it a "desperate effort to cast blame anywhere other than those responsible" and a "misuse of government power." The reflecting pool had recently received a new liner as part of President Donald Trump's beautification efforts for the nation's capital, but algae began growing, the lining peeled, and ducks were found dead. President Trump had previously blamed the damage on vandalism and called for immediate repairs.