Former Olympian says he’s the scapegoat in Reflecting Pool prosecution

The former U.S. Olympian accused of damaging the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool is pleading

not guilty as his defense takes aim at the Trump administration. Free-time Olympic canoeist David Hearn appeared in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday, where a judge

released him on his own recognizance after he entered a not guilty plea to a felony destruction

of property charge. Prosecutors say Hearn forcefully ripped up part of the Reflecting

Pool's new Blue Liner last month, causing more than $1,000 in damage

Hearn insists he did no such thing. He says he stopped during a bike ride, reached down to touch a piece of the liner that was

already peeling away, and left the pool in the same condition he found it

Outside the courthouse, supporters applauded as Hearn walked out with his legal team

If Mr. Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the reflecting pool, every American

is at risk And every American should be alarmed about this prosecution We have confidence in our justice system to see through this misuse of government power against an ordinary American based on a false and politicized narrative

Hearn's lawyers say he's being made a scapegoat for the troubled $16 million renovation of the reflecting pool

which has been plagued by peeling liner and green algae. When announcing the indictment last week, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said park employees saw Hearn vandalizing the pool

By Hearn's own admission on June 19th, he reached down into the pool

Our evidence further shows that the National Park Service employees observed Hearn actually forcefully and violently pulling up and removing the bottom liner with both hands

Hearn's next court appearance is set for August 5th