Key facts
- Former Olympian David Hearn pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of property destruction.
- The charge stems from an incident on June 19 involving the reflecting pool on Washington's National Mall.
- The reflecting pool had recently been renovated with a blue liner at the request of Donald Trump.
- Prosecutors allege Hearn "forcefully and violently" removed the pool liner, causing over $1,000 in damage.
- Hearn denies the allegations, stating he did not vandalize anything and was handcuffed before fully understanding the situation.
David Hearn, a three-time US Olympian in canoe racing, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to a felony charge of property destruction. The incident, which occurred in mid-June, involves alleged damage to the liner of Washington's reflecting pool. The pool, a prominent feature of the National Mall, recently underwent a $14.7 million renovation that included the installation of a blue liner at the request of Donald Trump.
Prosecutors, led by US Attorney Jeanine Pirro, claim Hearn "forcefully and violently" pulled up and removed the pool's bottom liner, causing over $1,000 in damage. Pirro stated that prosecutors possess "tremendous evidence" to support their case.
Hearn, 67, denied vandalizing anything, acknowledging only that his bicycle tire might have touched a hose used by National Park Service workers to clear algae. His attorneys have described the charges as based on a "concocted narrative" that should concern all Americans. Hearn told The Washington Post, "I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs."
Hearn was released on a personal recognizance bond. A status hearing is scheduled for August 5.