Ex-Olympian faces charge after touching peeling pool coating in DC
What's next: David Hearn is due in court July 9 as officials weigh damage claims tied to the Reflecting Pool's troubled $14.65 million overhaul.
Former U.S. Olympian David Hearn, 67, is facing a misdemeanor destruction-of-government-property charge after his arrest at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in Washington on Friday. Hearn, a three-time canoeing Olympian, told BBC, ABC and the AP he did not rip, remove or damage anything, saying he only touched a loose section of blue coating that was already peeling from the pool floor. The pool recently underwent a repainting and resealing project that cost about $14.65 million, but algae and peeling paint have persisted. President Donald Trump has described the damage as vandalism and said repairs would begin immediately. Hearn said he was held for about five hours and is scheduled to appear in court on July 9.