Government to Use Same Contractor for Reflecting Pool Repairs

Burgum told CNN’s “State of the Union” that the company performed well and attributed loose paint to vandalism. He said the government would use the same firm again.

The initial painting contract totaled $13.1 million and later rose to $14.6 million after additional work requested by the National Park Service. The company had previously completed projects at properties associated with the current administration.

An additional $1.7 million contract went to Green Water Solutions to remove algae that turned the pool water bright green. The firm is linked to a wealthy donor to the administration.

Pieces of the blue paint have detached since the project ended. Officials said several people have been arrested or cited in connection with the damage. U.S. Olympic canoeist David Hearn was indicted last week on one count of destruction of property after being accused of causing more than $1,000 in damage.

Hearn has denied the allegations and said he touched a piece of already detached coating during a bike ride. Burgum said courts will determine fault. “You can be a former governor, you can be a former this, you can be a former that, but just because you were a former something doesn’t exclude you from the law today,” he said.

“We will use the same company because they did a fantastic job.”