Senator probes Kennedy Center overhaul over rust, no-bid deals
What's next: Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse gave the center until July 23 to answer claims that rushed work wasted money and bypassed contracting rules.
Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse is pressing the Kennedy Center over whistleblower allegations that a rushed renovation tied to President Donald Trump produced shoddy work and improper contracting. In a letter released Saturday, the Rhode Island Democrat cited claims of steel columns rusting beneath fresh paint, a reflecting pool that may need to be rebuilt and a new bathroom floor torn out over tile color. Whitehouse also pointed to allegations that the center moved ahead before Congress authorized the work, used no-bid contracts and awarded an $8 million concert hall flooring job to a firm with no concert hall experience. The Kennedy Center did not immediately respond.