Earlier this week, former slalom canoeist David Hearn was indicted by a grand jury in Washington, D.C. Superior Court for allegedly damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool in a June 19 incident.
The four-time Olympian has been charged with a single felony count of destruction of property, with the value exceeding $1,000. It carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison if proven guilty.
In the wake of the indictment, a GoFundMe was launched titled “Justice for Olympian Davey Hearn” with a goal of $90,000. At the time of writing, it has raised $82,149 from more than 1,100 donations.
The fundraiser states that it covers Hearn’s legal fees and secures a “fair defense against false charges.”
Organizer Allen Mayers’ recent update reveals a random individual who launched another GoFundMe titled “Support for David Hearn, Arrested at Reflecting Pool 6.19.26,” contacted him that the donations will be “rolled into the primary fundraiser for David here.”
Exploring further David Hearn’s recent legal troubles
On June 19, David Hearn was taken into custody by the United States Park Police for reaching into the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. Back then, he was charged with one count of misdemeanor destruction of government property.
Following his arrest, Donald Trump claimed federal authorities made “multiple arrests” for allegedly vandalizing the Reflecting Pool. Meanwhile, reports surfaced that a $14-million rehabilitation project he launched for the nation’s 250th anniversary had backfired and the structure was plagued by algal blooms and peeling paint, only days after completion.
David Hearn, 67, told reporters at The Associated Press and The Washington Post that he reached into the pool to assess the newly peeled coating and didn’t remove/ damage anything. The Maryland-born canoeist also insisted he had momentarily touched a blue-colored chunk that was partially attached to the pool’s side/ bottom, but immediately let go after a park employee told him so.
Now, amid his July 2 indictment, it remains unclear why and how his misdemeanor count was elevated to a felony. According to CNN, the indictment found David Hearn
“maliciously did injure, break and destroy certain property, that is, the lining material of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.”
D.C. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro later shared at a press conference that Mr Hearn had “woefully destroyed property” in a “deliberate act.” She accused the ex-canoe racer of “forcefully and violently” ripping off two square feet of the bottom liner with “both hands” and allegedly being hostile toward a federal guard who asked him to stop.
“This is a case with tremendous evidence and the evidence dictates where we land,” Pirro claimed, adding six more misdemeanor/ violation arrests have been made for seemingly damaging the Reflecting Pool.
When asked about the evidence, he insisted on witnesses who “have no agenda… just working there,” and seemingly saw the defendant cause “damage to a national monument.”
Meanwhile, David Hearn told authorities that his company made composite materials used to build watercraft and he stopped by the massive pool during a 64-mile bike ride to inspect the recently installed sealant.
Before the indictment, Hearn was out on bail after being interrogated and detained by the National Guard and Park Police for five hours on the day of the incident. His attorney Norm Eisen told reporters:
“Davey Hearn is innocent. These charges are outrageous and should be alarming to every American. This indictment reflects the Administration’s effort to shift blame for their own failures. On the eve of our nation’s Independence Day, Americans should be deeply concerned by the misuse of government power against an ordinary citizen based on a concocted narrative.”
Now, the GoFundMe states David is facing an “unexpected and challenging” situation.
“Recently, he was falsely accused of vandalizing the DC reflecting pool, a charge that has shaken both him and those who know his character and dedication. Davey has always represented his community and country with integrity, and these accusations are not only unfounded but threaten to undermine years of hard work and service,” the description reads.
It continues:
“The legal battle ahead is daunting, with significant fees and expenses required to defend Davey and clear his name. Your support will directly help cover these costs, ensuring that Davey has the resources he needs to fight for justice. By contributing, you are standing up for fairness and supporting someone who has given so much to others.”
The campaign description ended by calling David Hearn’s case an “illegal prosecution for political reasons” and shared that the donors’ generosity would make a “real difference in this fight” and help “restore hope and justice” for the canoeist and others in similar situations.
Edited by Pallavi K