Senate Judiciary Letter to AG Barr Re: Epstein Death

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE — LETTER TO ATTORNEY GENERAL BARR Date: August 12, 2019 From: Senate Judiciary Committee (bipartisan) To: Attorney General William P. Barr Following Jeffrey Epstein's death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center on August 10, 2019, members of the Senate Judiciary Committee sent a bipartisan letter to Attorney General William Barr demanding a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding the death. QUESTIONS RAISED: 1. Why was Epstein removed from suicide watch after only six days? 2. Who made the decision to remove him from suicide watch? 3. What protocols were in place at MCC for monitoring high-profile detainees? 4. Why were the two guards assigned to Epstein's unit not conducting required rounds? 5. What is the status of surveillance camera footage from the SHU? 6. Has the DOJ launched a separate investigation into potential criminal negligence? 7. What steps are being taken to ensure co-conspirators are still prosecuted? CONTEXT: The letter reflected bipartisan concern about the circumstances of Epstein's death and the potential impact on the ongoing investigation. Both Republican and Democratic senators expressed the view that Epstein's death must not be allowed to impede the prosecution of other individuals who participated in or facilitated his crimes. AG Barr subsequently stated publicly that he was "appalled" by the failures at MCC and ordered investigations by both the FBI and the DOJ Inspector General. Source: Senate Judiciary Committee Available at: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/