What is document EFTA00018131?

This is an internal DOJ 'Hammad Memo' dated August 19, 2019 - a formal authorization for prosecutors to contact witnesses in their investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. It was filed just 9 days after Epstein was found dead.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), staff in the Special Housing Unit (SHU), the Warden who ordered a cellmate be assigned to Epstein, and an unnamed inmate who reportedly brought 'bales of shredded paper' to the rear gate.

What does this document reveal about the investigation?

The memo reveals investigators were examining three key failures: the unexplained decision not to give Epstein a cellmate despite the Warden's direct orders, the failure of guards to perform required counts and 30-minute checks overnight, and the falsification of records documenting those checks. It also reveals a serious concern about potential obstruction - a tip that documents were being shredded by a BOP after-action team, and that all count slips from before Epstein's death had gone 'missing.'

What happened to the guards who falsified records?

Two correctional officers, Michael Thomas and Tova Noel, were charged with conspiracy and falsifying records. They admitted to not performing required rounds and fabricating documentation. Under a deferred prosecution agreement, both avoided prison time after completing the terms of their deals.

Were the missing and shredded documents ever found?

The DOJ Office of Inspector General's final report focused on the falsified records but did not specifically address whether the 'missing' count slips or the shredded documents mentioned in this memo were ever recovered. The OIG concluded Epstein's death was suicide, while noting 'significant misconduct and dereliction of duties' by MCC staff.

What is document EFTA00018131?

This is an internal DOJ 'Hammad Memo' dated August 19, 2019 - a formal authorization for prosecutors to contact witnesses in their investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's death at the Metropolitan Correctional Center. It was filed just 9 days after Epstein was found dead.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein, the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC), staff in the Special Housing Unit (SHU), the Warden who ordered a cellmate be assigned to Epstein, and an unnamed inmate who reportedly brought 'bales of shredded paper' to the rear gate.

What does this document reveal about the investigation?

The memo reveals investigators were examining three key failures: the unexplained decision not to give Epstein a cellmate despite the Warden's direct orders, the failure of guards to perform required counts and 30-minute checks overnight, and the falsification of records documenting those checks. It also reveals a serious concern about potential obstruction - a tip that documents were being shredded by a BOP after-action team, and that all count slips from before Epstein's death had gone 'missing.'

What happened to the guards who falsified records?

Two correctional officers, Michael Thomas and Tova Noel, were charged with conspiracy and falsifying records. They admitted to not performing required rounds and fabricating documentation. Under a deferred prosecution agreement, both avoided prison time after completing the terms of their deals.

Were the missing and shredded documents ever found?

The DOJ Office of Inspector General's final report focused on the falsified records but did not specifically address whether the 'missing' count slips or the shredded documents mentioned in this memo were ever recovered. The OIG concluded Epstein's death was suicide, while noting 'significant misconduct and dereliction of duties' by MCC staff.

EFTA00018131

An internal DOJ memo from August 19, 2019, authorizing contact with witnesses in the investigation of Jeffrey Epstein's death, revealing early concerns about falsified records and potential document destruction at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

This is a 'Hammad Memo' - a formal DOJ authorization document required under New York Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2 for prosecutors to contact represented parties. Filed just 9 days after Epstein's August 10, 2019 death, it reveals the government was investigating not only the failure of guards to perform required checks, but also a concerning tip about an inmate being asked to shred documents by a BOP after-action team. The memo documents that 'all institutional count slips for dates prior to August 10, 2019' were reported as 'missing' - records that prosecutors had requested just two days after Epstein's death.

Key Highlights

•Government received a tip that an inmate was asked to shred documents by the BOP 'after-action team' on August 15-16, 2019
•All institutional count slips prior to August 10, 2019 were reported 'missing' despite being requested on August 12
•Investigators focused on the unexplained decision not to assign Epstein a cellmate on August 9, contrary to Warden's orders
•Guards in the Special Housing Unit failed to perform any overnight counts or required 30-minute checks
•Investigation launched into potential obstruction of justice through destruction of records at MCC

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

Julie K. Brown

Investigative journalism that broke the Epstein case open

Filthy Rich: The Jeffrey Epstein Story

James Patterson

Bestselling account of Epstein's crimes and network

Relentless Pursuit: My Fight for the Victims of Jeffrey Epstein

Bradley J. Edwards

Victims' attorney's firsthand account

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From To Cc Subject: Hammad Memo Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2019 19:28:09 +0000 Hommad Memos under NY Rule of Professional Conduct 4.2 are approved seriatim by the Unit Chief (criminal) or Deputy Chief (civil); Gvil or Criminal Professional Responsibility Officer; and Division Chief. Requesting AUSA USAONo: 2019R01059 Investigation/Complaint/Arrest/Indictment: Investigation Covert or Overt Contact: Overt Ongoing, Additional, Different Crime (Yes/No):Yes Any Special Precautions (discuss below) (Yes/No): Yes Bar(s) of Admission: New York Discussion: We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the August 10, 2019 suicide of Jeffrey Epstein while in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") at the Metropolitan Correctional Center ("MCC"). In particular, we are investigating MCC staff's (i) decision not to reassign a cellmate to Epstein on August 9, 2019, contrary to regular BOP practice and direct orders from the Warden; (ii) the failure of correctional officers assigned to the Special Housing Unit ("SHU") at which Epstein was housed the night of August 9, 2019, to perform the required overnight counts and 30- minute checks; and (iii) the falsification of records related to those count slips and 30-minute checks, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1519. We are also investigating any efforts, following Epstein's death, to obstruct justice by destroying relevant records at MCC. In particular, we learned today that all institutional count slips for dates prior to August 10, 2019, which we requested on August 12, 2019, are apparently "missing." Today, we received a tip from a guard at MCC that while the guard was stationed at the rear gate, inmate brought down bales of shredded paper on Thursday and Friday of last week (August 15 and 16), and reported that he had been asked to shred documents by the BOP after-action team (although it is not clear from the tip whether took part in any shredding) and that "they are shredding everything." We would like to interview regarding these events. is a sentenced defendant who was prosecuted out of the District and is currently serving a term of imprisonment related to The assigned AUSA has no objection to us interviewing =. Investigating agents will seek to interview at MCC, and will direct him not to discuss his prior criminal case or VOSR. We believe that will be more likely to cooperate and be forthcoming in this setting, rather than going through his attorney. The proposed contact is permissible under Hammad for several reasons. First, is not represented in connection with his status as a potential witness. Second, agents will be instructed not ask any questions about his prior criminal case. Accordingly, the proposed contact is permissible. Assistant United States Attorney Southern District of New York Tel: EFTA00018131