Former US Olympian David “Davey” Hearn has pleaded not guilty to vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool during a court appearance in Washington DC.
Hearn is accused of causing $1,000 (£750) in damages to the pool and faces a felony destruction of property charge.
President Donald Trump has attributed damage to newly applied coating on the pool’s bottom to vandals. Hearn was detained last month after touching some of the material, telling BBC News at the time it had already “delaminated”.
“If Mr Hearn can be charged with a felony for touching the Reflecting Pool, every American is at risk,” said Norm Eisen, one of Hearn’s attorneys, outside the courthouse on Thursday.
“It is not a crime to touch the Reflecting Pool, to touch water, in the United States of America,” he added.
Hearn, 67, a three-time Olympic canoeist, is due back in court on 5 August.
Authorities say Hearn was seen reaching into the water last month after renovations to the pool.
US Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro alleged last week as she announced the charge that Hearn “ripped” a piece of recently installed sealant in a “deliberate act” to cause damage on 19 June.
Hearn previously told the BBC he “didn’t destroy, rip, tear, peel, or remove any part” of the paint.
According to US Park Police, five people have been arrested for vandalism related to the Reflecting Pool, and five others have received federal citations.
Hearn’s attorneys accuse the Trump administration of charging their client to shift blame for the problem-plagued makeover.
The Reflecting Pool underwent a multi-million dollar resealing and painting project this spring.
The monument had long suffered from structural failures and leaks, and Trump has championed the project as part of his effort to beautify the capital.
However, despite the estimated $13m (£9.8m) makeover, the pool continues to struggle with algae, and pieces of the blue sealant peeled off within days.
Frank Lands, an official at the National Park Service, said in a court filing last month that the liner along the bottom of the Reflecting Pool was cut with a sharp knife or razor around 9 June.
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