Former US Olympian pleads guilty to charges in DC showing pool vandalism | Donald Trump News

Former Olympic rower David Hearn refuses to trash US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC to show off the renovation of the pool.

A former US Olympian has pleaded not guilty to destroying the newly renovated Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, in a case that has attracted national attention because of allegations that the administration of US President Donald Trump is trying to blame the botched renovation.

David “Davey” Hearn, the 67-year-old three-time Olympic rower, pleaded guilty in court Thursday when prosecutors accused him of “deliberately” destroying a line of “the blue American flag” that was placed at the bottom of the display pool at Trump’s request before the festivities that will take place on Washington’s National Mall on July 250.

Prosecutors say Hearn pulled the trigger on June 19, which cost more than $1,000. He is accused of destroying public property, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Hear denied what he said. He admitted that he stopped at the pool while riding his bike, reached in and grabbed part of the tarp that was already peeling, but did not remove or destroy it. He told The Associated Press that he stopped when a park employee told him to stop.

Hearn’s lawyers argue that the lawsuit is an attempt by the Trump administration to distract from what they describe as a successful reform project.

“This prosecution reflects an attempt by the administration to cover up its own failures,” he said in a statement. “The justice system exists to establish the truth, not to hide politics.”

The 620-meter (2,030-foot) demonstration pool reopened in June after Trump ordered the new liner to be grounded. He said he was forced to go ahead with the $14.7m renovation after a friend who had returned from Germany called the pool dark and dirty.

But within daysalgae started to spread all over the world, the water turned green, and parts of the roof began to leak.

Experts say so he explained that the new black paint on the bottom of the pool will raise the temperature and allow algae to grow, and that algae blooms are common at this time of year, especially in shallow, stagnant water like ponds.

Mr. Trump blamed the vandals, saying without evidence that “toxic and destructive chemicals” were poured into the pool and that the vandals “took some kind of knife or knife” and put a “long blade in a beautiful flower”, although no one was charged for what was considered.

The US president warned that anyone who allegedly destroyed the pool could be in prison for a long time. “Please remember that there is a 10 year prison sentence for vandalism, or attempted vandalism – Which will be fully enforced!” wrote on Truth Social.

Last week, US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro announced the protest against Mr. Hearn, accusing him of intentionally damaging the fence.

The US Department of the Interior says at least six people have been arrested on suspicion of vandalizing the pool weeks after it reopened. The National Guard and US Park Police were deployed to secure the site, which was cordoned off for July 4 celebrations.

Thursday’s hearing came to a packed courtroom, with many supporters waiting outside after Hearn entered his plea.

The demonstration pool’s problems continue, with Trump admitting that it will need to be drained again to repair the damaged liner.