What is document EFTA00032724?

This is an email dated June 16, 2021, from Ghislaine Maxwell's defense attorney Bobbi C. Sternheim to federal officials at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. The email complains about technical problems with video teleconference equipment used for attorney-client meetings and alleges inappropriate behavior by guards assigned to Maxwell's detail.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Ghislaine Maxwell (the defendant awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges), Bobbi C. Sternheim (Maxwell's defense attorney who authored the email), and Christian Everdell (another member of Maxwell's legal team who was copied on the correspondence).

What does this document reveal?

The document reveals ongoing tensions between Maxwell's defense team and MDC Brooklyn staff during her pretrial detention. It shows the defense was actively documenting what they characterized as harassment by guards, including threats of disciplinary action for minor behaviors and mocking laughter. This email is consistent with the broader pattern of complaints Maxwell's attorneys filed about her detention conditions, which included allegations of sleep deprivation, unsanitary conditions, and physical abuse.

What were the video conferencing problems mentioned?

Sternheim reported that modifications made to the VTC (video teleconference) room were negatively impacting attorney-client communication, specifically citing blurry video and audio with distorting noises. This is significant because prosecutors had noted Maxwell received daily three-hour video conference calls with her legal team, and these technical issues could have impeded her ability to prepare for trial.

Were these detention complaints unique to this document?

No. This email was one of many complaints Maxwell's attorneys filed during her detention at MDC Brooklyn from July 2020 until her conviction in December 2021. Other complaints alleged guards shone flashlights in her eyes during sleep checks every 15 minutes, her cell flooded with raw sewage, vermin droppings fell from air vents, and she was physically abused during pat-down searches. Maxwell also appeared in court photos with a black eye, which her attorneys attributed to conditions at the facility.

What is document EFTA00032724?

This is an email dated June 16, 2021, from Ghislaine Maxwell's defense attorney Bobbi C. Sternheim to federal officials at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. The email complains about technical problems with video teleconference equipment used for attorney-client meetings and alleges inappropriate behavior by guards assigned to Maxwell's detail.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Ghislaine Maxwell (the defendant awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges), Bobbi C. Sternheim (Maxwell's defense attorney who authored the email), and Christian Everdell (another member of Maxwell's legal team who was copied on the correspondence).

What does this document reveal?

The document reveals ongoing tensions between Maxwell's defense team and MDC Brooklyn staff during her pretrial detention. It shows the defense was actively documenting what they characterized as harassment by guards, including threats of disciplinary action for minor behaviors and mocking laughter. This email is consistent with the broader pattern of complaints Maxwell's attorneys filed about her detention conditions, which included allegations of sleep deprivation, unsanitary conditions, and physical abuse.

What were the video conferencing problems mentioned?

Sternheim reported that modifications made to the VTC (video teleconference) room were negatively impacting attorney-client communication, specifically citing blurry video and audio with distorting noises. This is significant because prosecutors had noted Maxwell received daily three-hour video conference calls with her legal team, and these technical issues could have impeded her ability to prepare for trial.

Were these detention complaints unique to this document?

No. This email was one of many complaints Maxwell's attorneys filed during her detention at MDC Brooklyn from July 2020 until her conviction in December 2021. Other complaints alleged guards shone flashlights in her eyes during sleep checks every 15 minutes, her cell flooded with raw sewage, vermin droppings fell from air vents, and she was physically abused during pat-down searches. Maxwell also appeared in court photos with a black eye, which her attorneys attributed to conditions at the facility.

EFTA00032724

An email from Ghislaine Maxwell's defense attorney Bobbi Sternheim to federal officials complaining about technical problems with video conferencing equipment and alleged inappropriate treatment by guards at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn.

This June 2021 email is one of many complaints filed by attorney Bobbi Sternheim regarding Maxwell's detention conditions at MDC Brooklyn while awaiting trial. Sternheim reports that modifications to the video teleconference (VTC) room had created blurry video and distorting audio, hindering attorney-client communications. She also alleges guards were harassing Maxwell by threatening discipline for minor issues like leaning against a wall, criticizing her walking pace, and laughing at the situation. These complaints were part of a broader pattern of detention condition grievances that included allegations of sleep deprivation, sewage leaks, vermin infestations, and physical abuse that Maxwell's defense team raised throughout her pretrial detention.

Key Highlights

•Attorney reports video conferencing equipment problems (blurry video, distorting audio) impeding legal communications
•Alleges guards threatened Maxwell with discipline for leaning against wall to soothe back pain
•Claims guards were barking orders about washing machine noise and her walking pace
•Expresses concern about how guards treat Maxwell when not being observed publicly

Frequently Asked Questions

Books for Further Reading

The Spider: Inside the Tangled Web of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell

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

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EFTA00032724

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Page 1 - EFTA00032724

From: BOBBI C STERNHEIM To: Cc: " >, Christian Everdell Subject: Ghislaine Maxwell 02879-509 Date: Wed, 16 Jun 2021 14:23:01 +0000 Good morning- As reported yesterday, the modifications made in the VTC room are negatively impacting attorney-client communication. The video is blurry; the audio includes distorting noises. I am requesting that these problems be remedied immediately. Also, I am bringing to your attention the inappropriate behavior of the guards presently on Ms. Maxwell's detail: threatening discipline if Ms. Maxwell is "off camera" while leaning against a wall to soothe her aching back; barking orders regarding the noise emanating from the washing machine and the pace of her gait when walking; laughing amongst themselves as if any of this is funny. The manner in which some of the guards responded to me on Sunday gives me reason to be concerned about how they treat Ms. Maxwell when out of public view. The courtesy of a response is requested. Thank you- Bobbi BOBBI C. STERNHEIM, ESQ. Law Offices of Bobbi C. Sternheim New York, NY 10011 Main: Cell: Fax: "Covid-19 Notice: The office is currently closed but we continue to work remotely. Please use entail or fax, instead of regular mail, for all correspondence during this time. We continue to work regular business hours throughout this situation. Thank you for your consideration. Our best wishes for your good health and well being. This message and any attached documents contain information from the Law Offices of Bobbi C. Sternheim that may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not read, copy, distribute, or use this information. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by reply e-mail and then delete this message. Thank you. EFTA00032724