AG William Barr Directive on MCC Epstein Death Investigation

DIRECTIVE OF ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAM P. BARR REGARDING INVESTIGATION OF THE METROPOLITAN CORRECTIONAL CENTER DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AUGUST 2019 Following the death of Jeffrey Edward Epstein on August 10, 2019, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York City, Attorney General William P. Barr issued a directive ordering a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Epstein's death. The directive addressed both the immediate failures at MCC and the broader systemic issues within the Federal Bureau of Prisons. STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL: Attorney General Barr stated publicly that he was appalled by the failure of the Bureau of Prisons to adequately secure Jeffrey Epstein during his pretrial detention. Barr indicated that the FBI and the DOJ Inspector General would both conduct investigations into the events leading to Epstein's death. He emphasized that any individuals who may have been complicit in Epstein's death or who failed in their duties would be held accountable. CONTEXT: Jeffrey Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey upon his return from Paris, France. He was charged by the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York with sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking, under a two-count indictment, Case No. 1:19-cr-00490-RMB. Epstein was detained at MCC pending trial after being denied bail by Judge Richard M. Berman on July 18, 2019. On July 23, 2019, Epstein was found in his cell with injuries to his neck in what was reported as a possible suicide attempt. He was placed on suicide watch and subsequently removed from suicide watch after approximately six days. On August 10, 2019, Epstein was found unresponsive in his cell at approximately 6:30 a.m. He was transported to New York-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The New York City Medical Examiner's Office ruled the cause of death as suicide by hanging. INVESTIGATIVE DIRECTIVES: The Attorney General's directive encompassed several areas of inquiry. First, the investigation would examine why Epstein was removed from suicide watch following his July 23 incident. Second, the investigation would examine the conduct of the two correctional officers assigned to Epstein's unit on the night of August 9-10, 2019, who were later charged with falsifying records and conspiracy. Tova Noel and Michael Thomas were indicted for failing to perform required rounds and for fabricating log entries. Third, the investigation would examine the broader conditions at MCC, including chronic understaffing, mandatory overtime, and the use of non-correctional staff to perform security functions. Attorney General Barr also directed that the criminal case against Epstein's co-conspirators would continue despite Epstein's death, stating that the investigation was ongoing. Source: Department of Justice, Office of the Attorney General Date: August 2019