WASHINGTON, July 2 (DC Times Online) — A federal grand jury in Washington indicted former U.S. Olympian David Hearn on a felony property-destruction charge tied to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to court records and a statement from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Hearn, a former canoeist, has denied damaging the pool. In interviews with ABC News and The Washington Post, he said he stopped during a bike ride to look at the newly renovated surface, touched a loose piece of blue liner and left without causing harm.
U.S. Park Police arrested Hearn on June 19 after the encounter, according to reports based on the arrest. Pirro said the government believes Hearn intentionally removed sealant from the pool and caused more than $1,000 in damage.
Hearn’s attorney, Norm Eisen, said the defense will contest the case. “There’s no justification for this. We plan to challenge it vigorously,” Eisen told The Hill.
Hearn was scheduled to appear in D.C. court on July 9.
