WASHINGTON, D.C. — Floca denied allegations that he halted repairs, stating that recent investigations revealed new hazards. In a September court declaration, he cited acute risks to public safety following an inspection of a deteriorating roof terrace canopy and a partial ceiling collapse.

Floca stated that he reassigned repair work to a more comprehensive plan because the initial contractor’s quote was nearly three times the expected cost. "That was a change in the approach to procuring and delivering the work, not a determination that the work was unnecessary," he said.

"The Kennedy Center has known for years that the roof overhang leaked," he said. "What we did not know until this summer was how far the damage had spread inside it." Floca stated in a written response that the safety of patrons, artists, and staff is his priority.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse wrote to Matt Floca on Thursday after receiving the whistleblower letter. Whitehouse is the top Democrat on the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. "The documents that I attach today seem to reveal deeper financial mismanagement," Whitehouse said.

Judge Christopher Cooper ordered the Kennedy Center to give 30 days' notice before making major physical changes to the building, including demolition. Kennedy Center leadership is required to file a status report on the temporary closure and emergency repairs by Friday, September 26, 2026.

Kennedy Center lawyers argued in court that the building will deteriorate further into an unsafe structure if extensive renovations are not permitted. Lawyers for the Kennedy Center threatened to demolish the building if renovations are not allowed.

The Kennedy Center's court filing revealed a $285 million renovation plan for a two-year closure, compared to a $560 million four-year partial closure option, with the latter deemed too costly and risky by management. The Kennedy Center stated that the repair work has been folded into a larger renovation plan submitted in June, which includes $14 million earmarked specifically for structural leak repairs alongside fixes to the HVAC system, elevators, electrical infrastructure and theater equipment.

Why It Matters

The dispute centers on whether the structural damage was truly newly discovered or known prior to the closure announcement, and how the $257 million in appropriated funds was allocated versus the specific repair needs identified by whistleblowers. The extent of political influence on the timing and justification of the closure remains an open question.

Timeline

Matt Floca joined the Kennedy Center as vice president of facilities in 2024. The whistleblower letter alleges that Matt Floca received $9.3 million in congressional funding for roofing replacement last year. Congress earmarked $257 million for the Kennedy Center in legislation signed by President Donald Trump in the summer of 2025.

President Donald Trump announced earlier in 2026 that the Kennedy Center would close for approximately two years for renovations. The whistleblower letter alleges that Matt Floca stopped the remediation process six months ago despite having funds available. Attorney David Seide stated that Kennedy Center executive director Matt Floca halted a funded plan to address roofing issues in April.

The Kennedy Center was slated to close on July 4, 2026, but a federal judge temporarily blocked the move. The Kennedy Center board voted to close the center indefinitely for repairs earlier in September 2026.

What's New

Matt Floca’s court declaration in September 2026 stated that the Kennedy Center’s roof terrace canopy inspection in July 2026 revealed “acute risks to public safety,” including a partial ceiling collapse, which he attributed to “newly discovered” damage despite prior warnings from whistleblowers. The Kennedy Center’s 2027 Congressional Budget Justification explicitly pledged to prioritize "life-safety, accessibility, and building infrastructure improvement" with the $257 million in federal funds, a commitment that whistleblower allegations claim was violated by delayed repairs.

Matt Floca served as Vice President of Facilities at the Kennedy Center since 2024, prior to his appointment as Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer, according to his court-declared testimony in September 2026. President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, which allocated $257 million in federal funding for the Kennedy Center’s capital repairs, including $9.3 million specifically for roofing replacement.

How Sources Differ

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse alleged that the Kennedy Center leadership 'hoarded' $257 million in congressionally appropriated funds for repairs while blaming previous leadership, according to a September 2026 letter to Matt Floca.

Regarding awareness of issues, Former employees alleged in a letter to Congress that Kennedy Center officials were aware of serious structural issues before citing them as new problems to justify closing the venue.

On financial management, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse stated that documents showed Kennedy Center leadership had hoarded congressionally appropriated funding for repairs while blaming previous leadership.