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David Hearn, 67, is accused of “maliciously” damaging the lining material at the bottom of the Reflecting Pool on June 19, causing more than $1,000 in damage.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC, US. (Source: Reuters)
A former US Olympic canoeist has been indicted on a felony charge for allegedly damaging the recently renovated Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., according to court records.
David Hearn, 67, is accused of “maliciously” damaging the lining material at the bottom of the Reflecting Pool on June 19, causing more than $1,000 in damage. The charge, filed in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The case comes after President Donald Trump and members of his administration repeatedly blamed acts of vandalism for problems that emerged following the pool’s $14.7 million renovation, including algae growth and sections of the liner coming loose.
The incident occurred just days after crews completed a Trump-directed project to install a new liner, which the president described as “American flag blue”, ahead of Independence Day celebrations on July 4.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro said Hearn allegedly pulled on the pool liner and confronted a National Park Service employee before being arrested by US Park Police.
“This was a deliberate act to damage the Reflecting Pool at the National Mall that members of the National Park Service actually have worked hard to restore,” Pirro told reporters.
According to Pirro, Hearn damaged about two square feet of the liner.
Hearn’s lawyers denied the allegations, saying the indictment was an attempt by the Trump administration to deflect criticism over the renovation project.
“These charges are outrageous and should be alarming to every American,” Hearn’s lawyers, Norm Eisen and Mary Dohrmann, said in a statement.
“This indictment reflects the Administration’s effort to shift blame for their own failures,” he added.
Hearn has previously acknowledged reaching into the pool while cycling nearby and tugging on a section of liner that he said was already partially detached. He has denied removing any material.
Trump has claimed that vandals made cuts measuring between 250 and 350 feet in the bottom of the Reflecting Pool, though he has not provided evidence to support those assertions.
Asked about the president’s remarks, Pirro said investigators believe extensive damage had been caused to the pool but were still working to identify those responsible.
The Department of the Interior has previously said at least six people were arrested on suspicion of vandalism following the renovation. Hearn is the first person to face criminal charges in connection with the case.
With inputs from Reuters
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Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
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