Olympian Charged with Felony Property Destruction for Touching Reflecting Pool
Former Olympic whitewater racer David Hearn has been indicted on a felony charge of destruction of property for allegedly pulling at a peeling flap of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s liner. Hearn maintains the damage was pre-existing and denies vandalism. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated evidence shows Hearn “woefully destroyed property” in a “deliberate act,” despite Hearn’s defense that he was only interacting with already damaged material. This indictment comes amidst a broader effort to prosecute alleged vandals of the recently renovated pool, a project that has faced issues with algae and peeling sealant.