Overview
- Atlantic Industrial Coatings told the Trump administration in documents reported Friday that design flaws and execution errors caused the new blue liner to blister and peel.
- The company identified specific failures including layers made from two incompatible chemicals, insufficient primer in some patches, and possible sweat contamination during application.
- Federal prosecutors moved to dismiss the vandalism cases in late July after concluding the damage stemmed from a botched installation, including the dropped charge against David Hearn.
- The $14.7 million project was fast‑tracked on a no‑bid basis for the July 4 semiquincentennial and the contractor says the pool is under warranty and will redo repairs.
- The admission increases pressure for oversight by Congress and inspector‑general offices and raises questions about procurement, Interior Department supervision, and prosecutorial judgment.