Overview
- David “Davey” Hearn entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment in D.C. Superior Court on Thursday after a grand jury indicted him on a felony count accusing him of ripping liner material and causing more than $1,000 in damage.
- Three other people have been charged with misdemeanor destruction for taking or attempting to take pieces of the blue sealant; they were arraigned this week and also pleaded not guilty.
- The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool was fast‑tracked for a spring renovation that grew from an initial sub‑$2 million estimate to roughly $14–16 million and included a new dark blue liner that soon showed peeling coating and green algae blooms.
- Prosecutors say video and witness accounts show cuts and intentional removal of material, while Hearn and his lawyers say he only briefly touched a loose piece during a bike ride and did not remove or damage the lining; the president has made unverified claims about sabotage.
- National Park Service crews are performing short‑term water treatments and planning warranty and pipe repairs as preservation lawsuits and congressional oversight continue to probe procurement, workmanship, and long‑term fixes.