- David Hearn, a two-time whitewater racing world champion and former Olympic athlete, has been indicted on a felony charge of destruction of property for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
- Hearn is accused of causing $1,000 in damage by "forcefully and violently" pulling the pool's recently applied "American flag blue" sealant, and faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
- Hearn denies vandalizing the monument, stating that the pool's lining was already peeling and damaged when he reached into the water during a bike ride on June 19.
- U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro asserted that evidence shows Hearn "woefully destroyed property" in a "deliberate act," though she declined to comment on whether the lining was already damaged prior to his actions.
- The incident follows a costly renovation of the 2,030-foot pool, which was plagued by algae blooms and peeling sealant shortly after its completion, and comes amidst claims by President Donald Trump about "vandals" attempting to damage the monument.
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