Officials in Buffalo, N.Y., are pointing the finger at an employee for $150,000 in graffiti damage to the new Highmark Stadium that caused a pause in construction on the facility.
Erie County Department of Public Works commissioner Bill Geary told Buffalo-Toronto Public Broadcasting that an investigation of the incident suggests an inside job.
Related: Graffiti Halts Construction at New Highmark Stadium
"Everybody has to go through a staff entry point that has a person there; it is not a free-for-all in and out, you have to swipe in and swipe out," he said. "We are 99% sure it was an employee who did the vandalism."
Officials said there's no quick fix for the damage, as the spray-painted areas will need to be fully replaced.
"In some of the areas in the executive suites, high-end finishings with marble, slate counter tops and doors, there are concrete floors, which adds up," Geary said. "Where the spray paint is, it can't be finished or cleaned, so they will have to remove those appliances and put in new ones."
As of Wednesday afternoon, limited work ha d resumed at the site. BTPB reported that full work at the site should resume within 24 to 48 hours.
Officials say the delay does not affect the project’s June 1 target completion date, with an absolute end goal of July 1.
