A private contractor has disputed claims that vandalism caused a reflecting pool to overflow and flood parts of a major city landmark, instead attributing the incident to its own recent repair work. The company argues that improperly installed components during maintenance led to the structural failure, contradicting earlier suspicions of deliberate damage. Authorities are now reviewing the contractor’s statement while investigating the extent of the flooding and potential safety risks. The dispute raises questions about accountability as cleanup efforts continue.


Contractor Blames Its Own Repairs, Not Vandals, for Reflecting Pool Failure  The New York Times