Reflecting Pool case: Witness conceded damage before Olympic canoeist Davey Hearn touched water

A key grand jury witness in a case against a former Olympic canoeist accused of tampering with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool testified that the area was already damaged and would have required repairs regardless, lawyers said in a court filing.

WASHINGTON — A key grand jury witness in a case against a former Olympic canoeist accused of tampering with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool testified that the area was already damaged and would have required repairs regardless, lawyers said in a court filing Monday.

David “Davey” Hearn was indicted this month and accused of damaging the liner of the long, shallow pool near the Washington Monument. Hearn, who has pleaded not guilty, previously told NBC News that “the condition of the Reflecting Pool was the same after I stepped away from the water as it was before I got there.”

President Donald Trump blamed vandals for the issues with the pool after he announced a plan to coat the bottom with “American flag blue” ahead of America’s 250th birthday. The project faced several setbacks, and the cost grew considerably beyond his original estimates. The coating began coming up and algae flooded the water once the pool was refilled.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the filing.

Add NBC News to GoogleOlympian charged with damaging reflecting pool01:31At least three other people face misdemeanor charges in connection with incidents at the Reflecting Pool.