Former Olympian pleads not guilty in Lincoln Pool damage case
What's next: David Hearn was released pending trial, and a status hearing is set for Aug. 5 in Washington.
Former U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn pleaded not guilty in Washington to a felony charge accusing him of damaging the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Prosecutors say Hearn, 67, caused more than $1,000 in damage during a June 19 incident by pulling up part of the pool liner. Hearn has denied doing that, saying he only touched a piece that was already peeling away. Judge Carmen McLean released him while the case proceeds and set an Aug. 5 status hearing. The case has drawn political attention because President Donald Trump's $14 million to $16 million pool renovation has faced criticism after algae blooms and peeling liner appeared soon after the work was completed.