Former Employees Allege Kennedy Center Officials Knew of Structural Issues Before Closure

Former employees of the Kennedy Center have alleged in a letter to Congress that officials were aware of serious structural issues at the performing arts venue for an extended period, contradicting claims that these problems necessitated its recent abrupt closure. The whistleblowers claim that executive director and chief operating officer Matt Floca halted a funded plan to address roofing issues in April, despite the necessary funds being available.

David Seide, a lawyer representing the anonymous former employees, stated in the letter that Floca had requested and received funds for remediation more than a year ago. However, six months prior to the closure, Floca reportedly stopped the remediation process. The whistleblowers allege that issues now cited as "acute risks to public safety" by Floca were known to him, who joined the Kennedy Center in 2024 as vice president of facilities.

Floca has denied these allegations, asserting that recent investigations into leaks revealed new hazards within the building. In a September court declaration, Floca had noted "acute risks to public safety" when the center temporarily closed following an inspection of a deteriorating roof terrace canopy and a partial ceiling collapse.

The letter, first reported by The New York Times, highlights ongoing tensions surrounding the Kennedy Center, which has become a point of focus for President Donald Trump's initiatives in Washington D.C. during his second term. Trump's administration had installed new leadership on the center's governing board and attempted to place his name on the building, an effort that was blocked by a judge.

Earlier this month, the Trump-aligned board voted to close the center indefinitely for repairs shortly after a U.S. District Judge ruled against returning Trump's name to the building. The judge had previously informed the center that 30 days' notice is required before any significant physical alterations, including demolition, which Trump has reportedly threatened. The Kennedy Center leadership is also required to submit a status report on the temporary closure and emergency repairs by Friday.

In response to the whistleblowers' claims, a Kennedy Center spokesperson provided a statement from Floca, who emphasized that the safety of patrons, artists, and staff is his top priority. Floca acknowledged that the roof overhang had been known to leak for years, but stated that the extent of the damage spreading inside was not understood until this summer. He clarified that reassigning the work in April was not a halt to necessary repairs but a shift to a more comprehensive plan due to the contractor's quote exceeding initial expectations by nearly three times. This, he explained, was a change in procurement strategy, not a declaration that the work was unnecessary.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, wrote to Floca on Thursday after receiving the whistleblower letter. Whitehouse stated that documents suggested Kennedy Center leadership had "hoarded" congressionally appropriated funds for repairs while attributing the state of the repairs to previous leadership. He added that his initial investigation into misconduct at the center focused on "cronyism and corruption" and "excessive and self-serving spending under President Trump’s chairmanship," but the newly provided documents appear to reveal "deeper financial mismanagement."