Firm Tied to Trump Donor Got No-Bid Contract to Clean Reflecting Pool

The National Park Service awarded a $1.7 million no-bid contract to Greenwater Services to install a water-purification system in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. This decision is currently under scrutiny because the pool has developed persistent algae blooms, turning the water green. The contract bypassed standard competitive-bidding processes, raising questions about the selection of the Ohio-based firm. Greenwater Services is tied to the J.J. Cafaro Investment Trust, which is led by John J. Cafaro. Mr. Cafaro is a known donor to President Trump and a neighbor to his Florida club, Mar-a-Lago. Corporate and lobbying records further link the company to Mr. Cafaro through shared addresses and contact information. Mr. Cafaro, whom the President has publicly praised, has a history that includes involvement in a significant bribery scandal. Although he is a prominent Republican donor, he has also contributed to Democratic candidates in the past. His daughter, Capri Cafaro, previously served as a Democratic state senator in Ohio. The project was intended to maintain the pool's appearance, yet it has failed to prevent the return of unsightly algae.