Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn faces a charge of property destruction in Washington, D.C., following an incident at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. District of Columbia U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro alleges Hearn “forcefully and violently” damaged pool sealant, while Hearn’s legal team argues the indictment is a “concocted narrative” and a misuse of government power.
What are the specific allegations against David Hearn?
David Hearn, a 67-year-old former Olympic canoe racer from Bethesda, Maryland, was indicted on a single count of property destruction in a Washington, D.C., court. According to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, Hearn ripped up recently installed sealant on the reflecting pool in what she described as a “deliberate act.”
Pirro stated the incident caused more than $1,000 in damages. The prosecution further alleges that Hearn used “both hands” to pull up the bottom liner and acted “belligerent” toward a park employee who instructed him to stop. Pirro noted that authorities have also made approximately six other misdemeanor arrests related to the site.
Hearn, who owned a company specializing in composite materials for watercraft, told The Associated Press that he was merely a “curious citizen.” He claimed he reached into the pool during a 102-kilometer bike ride to examine the newly peeled coating, describing the material as “very rubbery.”
How does Hearn’s legal team respond to the charge?
Defense attorneys Norm Eisen, co-founder of the Democracy Defenders Fund, and Mary Dohrmann, senior counsel at Washington Litigation Group, have labeled the charges “outrageous.” They contend the case represents a misuse of government authority against a private citizen.
The legal team argues the prosecution is based on a “concocted narrative” rather than the reality of the encounter. Hearn previously told reporters that he briefly touched a chunk of the coating that was already attached to the side of the pool and released it shortly after a worker spoke to him.
Hearn reported being detained by U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops for five hours before his release. His attorneys suggest the severity of the charge is disproportionate to the alleged actions.
