A former Olympic athlete has been accused of causing damage to the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, an incident labeled as vandalism by former President Donald Trump. David Hearn, a 67-year-old retired Olympic canoe racer, faces a felony charge for allegedly destroying property in Washington, DC. Prosecutors claim Hearn intentionally tore up a newly installed sealant, causing over $1,000 in damages, and refused to halt the act when confronted.

During a press briefing on July 2, District of Columbia US Attorney Jeanine Pirro asserted that Hearn aggressively ripped up the pool’s liner with his hands and acted confrontationally towards a National Park Service worker. Pirro emphasized the substantial evidence in the case, noting multiple misdemeanor arrests made by authorities. Hearn did not immediately respond to inquiries following the announcement of the charges.

Despite denying any wrongdoing initially, Hearn later admitted to touching a loose section of the pool’s coating on June 19 after noticing it peeling off. He explained that he released the section upon instruction from a park employee. Hearn, who formerly ran a company producing materials for watercraft construction, clarified that he had visited the memorial during a bicycle ride before being detained by law enforcement for five hours.

Following his arrest, Hearn maintained his innocence in damaging the pool, stating he was handcuffed before fully comprehending the situation. Last month, Donald Trump accused individuals of vandalizing the Reflecting Pool and defended the extensive renovation project costing $14.7 million. Allegations included a sizable cut in the newly applied sealant, although no public evidence has been presented to support these claims.

The Reflecting Pool, established in 1922, spans over 2,000 feet between the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument. It is famously known as the setting for Martin Luther King Jr.’s historic “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963.