Olympic Hero David Hearn Fights Unjust Charges Over Lincoln Memorial Pool Incident
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David Hearn, a celebrated former Olympic canoeist, has pleaded not guilty to a felony property destruction charge after being accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a flawed government renovation.
In a Washington D.C. Superior Court hearing on Thursday, former Olympic canoe racer and American patriot David Hearn, 67, stood firm and pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of property destruction involving the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Hearn, a respected Bethesda resident, was indicted last week for allegedly causing over $1,000 in damage to the pool’s new sealant—a project that has already been plagued by government incompetence and wasteful spending.
Hearn explained that he reached into the pool to examine a peeled coating after a park worker told him to let go of a loose piece. However, prosecutors are aggressively pursuing him, claiming he removed part of the sealant and acted belligerently toward the employee. This is yet another example of overzealous prosecution targeting law-abiding citizens while real criminals roam free.
"Every American should be alarmed about this prosecution," declared defense attorney Norm Eisen, highlighting the absurdity of targeting a national hero over a minor incident.
The judge wisely declined to impose supervision conditions, allowing Hearn to remain free pending trial, with a status hearing set for Aug. 5. Prosecutor Kevin Reddington requested a stay-away order but failed to specify the area, further demonstrating the lack of clarity in the government’s case.
Patriotic supporters gathered outside the courthouse, chanting Hearn’s name as he exited. Hearn smiled and raised his hand to the crowd, embodying the spirit of American resilience, though he chose not to make a statement.
This case comes amid ongoing problems with the pool’s multi-million-dollar renovation, which has been marred by government mismanagement, coating failures, and rampant algae growth. Federal officials have also arrested six others on misdemeanor charges related to the project, showing that bureaucratic failures continue to waste taxpayer money while targeting upstanding citizens.