Trump donor’s company awarded $1.7 million no-bid Reflecting Pool contract
8 reported
The federal government awarded a $1.7 million no-bid contract to Green Water Solutions, a company owned by Trump donor John J. Cafaro, to install a Nano Bubble filtration system at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool, according to federal records. The contract was awarded in April by the Department of the Interior without a full competitive bidding process, citing "unusual and compelling urgency" to fix the pool for the nation's 250th birthday on July 4. Cafaro has donated extensively to President Trump's campaign and Trump-linked groups, including $250,000 to the Trump Victory fundraising committee in 2020, and also made donations to Democrats. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the White House played no role in the selection process. Cafaro told a local newspaper that President Trump "doesn't know a thing about" his company's work on the pool. A separate $14.7 million no-bid contract was given to Virginia-based Atlantic Industrial Coatings to install sealant on the pool floor. The pool has experienced algae blooms and peeling sealant in recent days, with the Interior Department attributing the algae to "residual algae" from stagnant water.
What’s reported
Green Water Solutions, owned by Trump donor John J. Cafaro, received a $1.7 million no-bid contract to install a Nano Bubble filtration system at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.
The contract was awarded by the Department of the Interior in April without a full competitive bidding process, citing "unusual and compelling urgency" for the nation's 250th birthday on July 4.
Cafaro donated $250,000 to the Trump Victory fundraising committee in 2020 and has donated to other GOP candidates and conservative causes, as well as Democrats.
Cafaro pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations in 2010 and to conspiring to bribe Democratic Rep. James Traficant in the early 2000s.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said the White House did not play any role in the selection process.
Cafaro told The Vindicator that President Trump "doesn't know a thing about" his company's work on the pool.
A separate $14.7 million no-bid contract was given to Atlantic Industrial Coatings to install sealant on the pool floor.
The Reflecting Pool has experienced algae blooms and peeling sealant; the Interior Department said the algae was from "residual algae" in supply lines.
Key figures
John J. Cafaro, president and CEO of JJ Cafaro Investment Trust, owner of Green Water Solutions
Taylor Rogers, White House spokesperson
President Donald Trump
Sources: CBS News
