John J. Cafaro, a businessman linked to significant donations to former President Donald Trump, is facing scrutiny over alleged connections to a company tasked with installing a water purification system at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The installation follows the return of algae blooms, which turned the water green, sparking criticism.
The Reflecting Pool renovation, a recent project during Trump’s presidency, involved a $1.7 million contract awarded to Greenwater Services. This Ohio-based company was tasked with fitting a ‘nano bubble’ device aimed at eliminating algae. The New York Times disclosed that J.J. Cafaro Investment Trust, led by Cafaro, owns Greenwater Services.
Records from the Federal Election Commission, as examined by Newsweek, show Cafaro donated large sums to Trump, including $250,000 in 2020 and $100,000 in 2024. Katie Martin, spokesperson for the Department of the Interior, commented that Greenwater Services was selected for its expertise and resources, denying White House involvement in the selection process. Newsweek attempted to contact Greenwater Services for comment via email.
Who Is John J. Cafaro?
Cafaro’s LinkedIn profile mentions his experience as a retail and manufacturing executive in Ohio, having spearheaded significant projects such as the South Hill Mall and Meadowbrook Mall. His ventures extend to Florida and West Virginia. In 2021, Cafaro pleaded guilty to bribing former Ohio Congressman James Traficant Jr. Furthermore, in 2020, he admitted to a campaign finance violation, as reported by Cleveland.com.
Contract Comes Under Scrutiny
The contract has attracted attention from prominent Democrats. Hunter Biden, son of former President Joe Biden, expressed disbelief over the situation on social media platform X. Moe Davis, a former U.S. Air Force colonel and congressional candidate, pointed out Cafaro’s previous convictions, one for bribery and another related to campaign finance, highlighting the no-bid nature of the contract awarded to Cafaro.
This story is developing, and updates will follow.
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