David Hearn, a three-time US Olympic canoe champion, has appeared in court to deny allegations that he caused significant damage to Washington D.C.'s iconic reflecting pool. The incident is believed to have occurred on 19 June, during the ongoing £11.6 million (US $14.7 million) renovation project to refurbish the National Mall's prominent feature.
Prosecutors claim that Mr Hearn, 67, "maliciously" broke or destroyed part of the lining material at the bottom of the reflecting pool. The accusation is centred on the allegedly deliberate action, rather than any accidental damage caused by his bike tyre coming into contact with a hose used to clear algae from the pool.
US Attorney for Washington D.C., Jeanine Pirro, stated last week that prosecutors possess "tremendous evidence" pointing to the Olympian's culpability. According to Ms Pirro, Mr Hearn "forcefully and violently" pulled up and removed the bottom liner, causing damage estimated to be over £790 (US $1,000). However, Mr Hearn has consistently maintained his innocence, stating that he was unaware of any damage until after he had been placed in handcuffs.
The renovation of the reflecting pool, which was requested by former President Donald Trump, has faced significant issues. Reports have highlighted problems with algae blooms and peeling away of the new blue lining material. Despite these challenges, Mr Hearn's defence team remains adamant that their client should not be charged. In a statement to The Washington Post, they described the allegations as being based on a "concocted narrative" and expressed concerns over the implications for American justice.
A status hearing is set to take place on 5 August, at which time the court will assess the progress of the case against Mr Hearn. He was released on a personal recognizance bond following his initial appearance in court last week.