WASHINGTON, July 2 (DC Times Online) — Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington, D.C., on a felony property-destruction charge in connection with alleged damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to court records and statements from U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
Prosecutors allege Hearn damaged the pool’s newly installed liner or sealant and caused more than $1,000 in damage. Pirro said the evidence would show Hearn “willfully destroyed property” at the federal landmark and described the conduct as deliberate.
Hearn has denied damaging the pool. He told ABC News that he stopped there during a bike ride, touched a loose blue coating or liner, and walked away without causing damage. “I did not damage, I did not rip, tear, break, destroy or harm any part of the Reflecting Pool,” he said.
Hearn’s attorney, Norm Eisen, also rejected the case and said the defense would fight the charge. “There’s no justification for this. We plan to challenge it vigorously,” Eisen told The Hill. Hearn was arrested by U.S. Park Police after the June 19 encounter at the Reflecting Pool.
