Olympian David Hearn Pleads Not Guilty in Reflecting Pool Vandalism Case
Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn, 67, appeared in a District of Columbia courtroom and pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of vandalism for allegedly damaging the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial.
The prosecution claims that on 19 June Hearn ripped a strip of the newly applied sealant from the pool’s bottom, causing an estimated $1,000 in damage. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, headed by Jeanine Pirro, says the act was deliberate and intentional.
Hearn’s lawyers dispute the allegation, arguing that he only touched a piece of liner that had already started to delaminate and that no paint was removed. Attorney Norm Eisen said, “It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America,” and warned that charging anyone for touching a public body of water could set an unreasonable precedent.
The incident comes amid a broader controversy over the $13 million renovation of the pool that began this spring. Despite the fresh coating, the pool has struggled with algae growth and peeling sealant, leading to five other arrests and federal citations tied to vandalism.
The case will test how federal authorities apply criminal law to actions at historic monuments, and whether the Trump administration’s emphasis on monument upkeep can justify imposing heavy penalties on a 67‑year‑old former athlete who claims to have acted without intent to damage.
Hearn’s next court appearance is scheduled for 5 August, when a judge will determine if the felony charges hold or if the case is dismissed. The outcome could influence how future stewardship and public access to national landmarks are regulated.
