David Hearn, 67, denied Monday that he damaged government property, saying he merely reached into the Reflecting Pool to inspect part of the recently completed renovation. He stated he was never advised of his Miranda rights.
President Donald Trump announced Saturday that “multiple individuals” had been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool, which has been criticized after algae growth and peeling paint were discovered shortly after a multimillion-dollar renovation was completed earlier this month.
Hearn’s attorney, Norm Eisen, said the two misdemeanor citations issued against his client have no legal basis.
“There’s no basis for this. We’re going to contest it vigorously,” Eisen said. “It’s not a federal crime to touch water.”
The president has pointed to vandalism as a factor in the Reflecting Pool’s maintenance and water-quality problems.
Hearn, a former canoe slalom racer who lives in Bethesda, Maryland, was detained by U.S. Park Police for nearly five hours.
Hearn said he was not allowed to contact anyone while in custody.
“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 stated 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 he was detained.
“I didn’t vandalize anything,” Hearn said. “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.
