Mr. Blanton’s high-profile flameout is just one issue complicating the seek for a brand new head of an company that, confusingly, has the identical title because the title of the job, Architect of the Capitol, and the identical shorthand reference, A.O.C., as Consultant Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat of New York.
Latest inspector basic experiences doc waste, absenteeism, contracting irregularities, office misconduct and sexual harassment at an company with an annual finances of $1.3 billion. Some 17 company workers knew about Mr. Blanton’s misconduct however didn’t report it. The company’s $1 billion restoration of the Home Cannon workplace constructing is about $200 million over finances, with some bills improperly charged to taxpayers, like a child present, espresso provides and lawyer’s charges for contractors hauled earlier than Congress to account for blown deadlines and price overruns. Failures of the Capitol Police Board (the architect is one in every of three voting members) and Mr. Blanton’s failed response contributed to the Jan. 6 Capitol breach, in accordance with a Senate report.
Mr. Blanton didn’t reply to calls and emails in search of an interview. Within the Feb. 9 Home Administration Committee listening to that led to his firing, Mr. Blanton stated “it could have been not prudent” to drive to the Capitol throughout the assault “as a result of there would have been subsequent to no option to get onto this campus at the moment with the variety of people who have been there.” He “wholeheartedly” rejected the inspector basic’s findings. “The report is full of errors, omissions, mischaracterizations, misstatements and conclusory statements missing proof,” he stated.
The job pays $212,000 yearly. Comparable personal sector jobs command greater than twice that.
“Downside after drawback after drawback,” Thomas J. Carroll III, a former appearing architect of the Capitol, informed investigators. He has since left authorities. “Getting away was an incredible break,” he added.