Former US Olympic canoeist charged over Reflecting Pool damage, faces 10 years

David Hearn, a three-time US Olympic canoeist, has been indicted on felony charges after allegedly tampering with Washington's newly renovated Reflecting Pool.

Former Olympian indicted over Washington Reflecting Pool incident

RTÉ News reports that David Hearn, a 67-year-old three-time US Olympic canoeist, has been charged with felony destruction of property following an incident at Washington's newly renovated Reflecting Pool. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.

US attorney for the capital Jeanine Pirro told reporters that a grand jury returned the indictment against Hearn for allegedly pulling up and removing approximately two square feet of sealant from the bottom of the pool on 19 June, causing more than $1,000 in damage. National Park Service employees observed Hearn "forcefully and violently pulling up and removing" the material, Pirro said.

Hearn told the Washington Post he had visited the pool after a long bike ride and noticed a piece of partially detached "American blue" paint liner. "I didn't vandalise anything," he said. "I didn't destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realised what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs."

His lawyers, Norm Eisen and Mary Dohrmann, issued a sharp response to the charges. "These charges are outrageous and should be alarming to every American," the pair said in a statement, describing the indictment as evidence of a politicised justice system under President Donald Trump. "On the eve of our nation's Independence Day, Americans should be deeply concerned by the misuse of government power against an ordinary citizen based on a concocted narrative," they added.

Hearn is one of roughly half a dozen people accused of allegedly tampering with the pool. Pirro said her office is reviewing the remaining cases, which she expects will be treated as misdemeanours or violations. She vowed to hold to account anyone who damages national monuments.

The $14 million renovation of the Reflecting Pool, situated beside the Lincoln Memorial, has been among President Trump's flagship projects to reshape the US capital ahead of the 250th anniversary of American independence. The project has been beset by problems almost immediately after completion, with algae turning the water a murky green and the new coating beginning to peel. Trump has blamed vandals for the deterioration, without providing evidence.

Pirro, a former Fox News host, now leads the US attorney's office in Washington. Her pursuit of a felony charge against Hearn is expected to intensify existing concerns about the independence of the Justice Department under the current administration.

Source: RTÉ News