Former Olympic canoeist indicted for Reflecting Pool damage

A former Olympic canoeist has been indicted on a felony charge for allegedly vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C., an incident that has become a flashpoint in a controversial, multimillion-dollar renovation of the landmark. David "Davey" Hearn, 67, was indicted by a grand jury in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday on a single count of destruction of property.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the indictment, alleging that Hearn "forcefully and violently" pulled up a section of the pool's newly installed sealant with his bare hands on June 19, causing more than $1,000 in damage. The felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Pirro described the act as deliberate and said National Park Service employees witnessed Hearn damaging approximately two square feet of the liner. She stated that when a park employee ordered him to stop, Hearn became belligerent, shouting that the employee cared too much about the pool.

Hearn, a three-time U.S. Olympian in canoe slalom from Bethesda, Maryland, has consistently denied the allegations. He told reporters last month that he was on a 64-mile bicycle ride when he...