Former Olympian indicted after arrest over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism
Prosecutors say Hearn caused more than $1,000 in damage after touching the pool’s liner, and he faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
- On Thursday, a D.C. grand jury indicted former Olympian David Hearn on a felony count of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced, carrying a maximum 10-year prison sentence.
- President Donald Trump blamed vandals for issues following a $14 million spring renovation that painted the pool 'American flag blue,' prompting the administration to launch multiple investigations into alleged destruction at the monument.
- Prosecutors allege Hearn 'forcefully and violently' ripped approximately two square feet of sealant on June 19, causing over $1,000 in damage; Hearn's attorneys deny the charge, calling it a 'concocted narrative' to shift blame for renovation failures.
- Hearn maintains he only touched a loose piece of sealant out of curiosity during a bike ride and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted. He is scheduled to appear before D.C. Superior Court on July 9.
- Federal officials plan to drain the Reflecting Pool after the July 4 holiday for repairs, while U.S. Attorney Pirro's office investigates approximately six other related vandalism cases at the site.
284 Articles
284 Articles
U.S. Olympian indicted over alleged Reflecting Pool vandalism
Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn has been indicted on a charge of felony destruction of property for allegedly vandalizing the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, court records showed on Thursday.
Olympic canoeist David Hearn was arrested after touching a piece of the blue coating of the Mirror Pond in Washington, D.C., which was already peeling off. He is now facing charges.
Pirro SHUTS DOWN relentless reporter questioning case against alleged Reflecting Pool vandal · American Wire News
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro held a press conference Thursday to announce that a grand jury indicted former Olympian David Hearn on a felony charge for allegedly ripping out a piece of sealant from the bottom of the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. “One of the most offensive images that I hold in my mind are the images of national monuments that are being debased, roped, torn down, graffitied, and damaged by individuals,” Pirro said. And while…
The American paddler David Hearn is having a nightmare. A month ago, he was arrested on suspicion of damaging the Lincoln Memorial bathtub. Yesterday, Thursday, July 2, he was officially indicted by a grand jury in Washington. The former Olympic athlete — who participated in the Sydney 2000 Games — defended himself by speaking to the Washington Post: “I haven't vandalized anything.” In spite of himself, however, he finds himself entangled in a s…
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