David Hearn, a former Olympic canoeist, pleaded not guilty Thursday to a felony charge of destruction of property related to alleged damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, 67, was among at least four individuals arrested in June for allegedly peeling paint from the pool’s surface, which recently underwent an expensive renovation that has faced multiple setbacks.
Authorities say the pool, which cost an estimated $16.4 million to refurbish, sustained damage after the coating on its floor began to peel. The renovation included improvements to the water-purification system, sealing cracks between concrete slabs, and applying a blue waterproofing material described by former President Donald Trump as “American flag blue.” The project utilized no-bid contracts to meet a deadline tied to the nation’s 250th birthday celebrations on July 4.
Hearn’s legal team maintains that he had merely touched a strip of peeling paint out of curiosity during a visit to the pool. “If he can be charged with a felony for touching the reflecting pool, every American is at risk,” said Norm Eisen, one of Hearn’s attorneys. During the arraignment before Associate Judge Carmen McLean of D.C. Superior Court, Hearn did not speak except to state his name. He was released without bail and ordered to return to court on August 5. Prosecutors had requested a stay-away order, but the judge declined.
Seven people have been arrested in connection with vandalism at the reflecting pool, according to federal officials. While Hearn faces felony charges for property destruction exceeding $1,000, three others are charged with misdemeanor property damage under that amount. The identities and charges of the remaining individuals have not been publicly disclosed.
The pool’s deterioration has drawn attention at the highest levels of government. Former President Trump attributed its condition to vandalism, including claims that individuals poured fertilizer into the water to encourage algae growth and slashed the pool’s blue coating. However, no evidence has been presented linking Hearn or others to these acts. Some experts have suggested that the peeling paint could stem from the type of material used in the renovation rather than intentional damage.
Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for Washington, D.C., emphasized the importance of protecting national monuments. “Vandalism is an affront to our shared history,” she said. “We will protect them and hold accountable anyone who seeks to deface or diminish them.”
Outside the courthouse, supporters of Hearn demonstrated, chanting his name as he departed. Mary Dohrmann, another of his lawyers, highlighted Hearn’s background as a three-time Olympian and respected member of the community, calling him an “upstanding citizen.”
The reflecting pool’s renovation has been complicated further by ecological issues. After removing certain algae-control devices, officials witnessed a shift in the water from blue to green as extensive algae blooms spread throughout the pool, exacerbating concerns about its condition.