Ex-Olympian pleads not guilty to Reflecting Pool damage

Former Olympic canoeist David Hearn has pleaded not guilty to felony charges of malicious destruction of property at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington D.C. The 67-year-old entered his plea on Thursday in D.C. Superior Court, facing accusations of deliberately damaging the pool's newly installed lining during an incident on June 19, 2026. If convicted, Hearn could face up to ten years in prison.

Hearn denies the allegations, stating he merely touched a loose piece of the peeling blue coating out of curiosity after a bike ride, and did not cause any damage. His legal team has characterized the prosecution as an "outrageous" and politically motivated attempt by the Trump administration to deflect blame for ongoing issues with the recently renovated $14 million Reflecting Pool, which has experienced problems like algae blooms and peeling sealant.

However, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro contends that witnesses observed Hearn "forcefully and violently" pulling at the liner and becoming belligerent when confronted, resulting in over $1,000 worth of damage. A status hearing in the case is scheduled for August 5, with a potential trial date not expected until February 2027.