Former Olympian Indicted for Property Damage

A grand jury in Washington, D.C. has indicted David Hahn, a former Olympian, on a felony charge related to damage to property estimated over $1,000.

Jeanine Pirro, the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, announced the charges, stating that Hahn “ripped off some of the recently installed sealant.” She expressed that Hahn deliberately destroyed property in the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial. The incident was reported on Thursday.

Pirro mentioned that National Park Service (NPS) officers witnessed Hahn pull up the liner with both hands, causing damage to at least two square feet of the pool. The renovation of the pool had cost millions, which underscores the seriousness of the alleged vandalism.

Furthermore, it was reported that NPS employees instructed Hahn not to reach into the pool. Allegedly, he responded defiantly, asking, “That’s not your pool?” and “Why do you care?”

Hahn, recognized for being a three-time Olympic canoeist, was first detained on June 19 at the Lincoln Memorial. Initially, he faced misdemeanor charges for damaging government property.

Regarding the gravity of the charges, Pirro highlighted the intention behind Hahn’s actions, asserting, “There was a violent act in which he removed the sealant from the pool. I can state and prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that he caused more than $1,000 in damage to the pool.”

According to an indictment from Chief Judge Milton C. Lee, Hahn is charged with destruction of property under Section 22-303 of the D.C. Code. The warrant for his arrest did not specify any bond.

This statute pertains to malicious destruction or injury to another’s property valued over $1,000, carrying penalties that include a fine of up to $25,000 or imprisonment for up to ten years, or both.

Deputy Chief David Lamont, leading the U.S. Park Police’s Field Operations Division, cautioned potential offenders, asserting that they would face accountability through citations or arrest.

Pirro noted that her team was not monitoring any significant threats as they approached the holiday weekend.