Former US Olympic canoeist David “Davey” Hearn has pleaded not guilty to charges related to alleged damage at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington DC.
The 67 year old athlete appeared in court and denied accusations that he damaged the pool’s newly applied coating. Prosecutors charged him with destruction of property, claiming the damage was worth around $1,000.
Hearn Denies Damaging the Reflecting Pool
Authorities accused Hearn of damaging the pool’s new liner after he reached into the water on 19 June. Officials said he removed part of the recently installed sealant during a renovation project.
However, Hearn rejected the allegations. He said he only touched a section of the material that had already separated from the surface.
The former Olympian stated that he did not tear, remove, or destroy any part of the pool’s coating. His legal team argued that touching the damaged material should not result in a felony charge.
Lawyers Say Case Raises Legal Concerns
Hearn’s attorney Norm Eisen said outside the courthouse that charging someone for touching the Reflecting Pool creates serious concerns.
He argued that interacting with water or a public landmark does not automatically become a criminal act.
Dispute Over Reflecting Pool Renovation
The Reflecting Pool recently received a major renovation project costing around $13 million. The work included resealing and repainting the bottom surface to fix long standing leaks and structural problems.
Despite the expensive upgrade, the pool faced new issues soon after completion. Pieces of the blue coating started peeling, and algae problems continued to appear.
More Arrests Linked to Pool Damage
US Park Police reported that several people have faced legal action over damage connected to the Reflecting Pool.
The Reflecting Pool remains under investigation as officials continue efforts to repair the damaged surface.
