What is document EFTA00035442?

This is an email exchange from August 11, 2019 between CBS News correspondent Matt Pieper and the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Public Affairs office, occurring the day after Jeffrey Epstein's death in custody. It documents the media's attempts to obtain information about Epstein's custody conditions and the government's refusal to provide details.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document involves Matt Pieper (CBS News Radio Anchor/Correspondent), the BOP's Office of Public Affairs, and references Attorney General William Barr and Jeffrey Epstein. It shows the official channels through which information about Epstein's death was controlled.

What does this document reveal about the government's response to Epstein's death?

The document reveals an immediate information lockdown by federal authorities. When CBS News asked whether Epstein was on suicide watch, the BOP refused to answer, only directing reporters to AG Barr's general statement. The internal note indicates strict talking points: provide only the AG's statement and 'decline further comment.'

Was Jeffrey Epstein on suicide watch when he died?

This document shows that the Bureau of Prisons refused to confirm Epstein's suicide watch status when asked by CBS News on August 11, 2019. Later reporting revealed that Epstein had been taken off suicide watch approximately one week before his death, though this document captures the government declining to disclose that information initially.

What is document EFTA00035442?

This is an email exchange from August 11, 2019 between CBS News correspondent Matt Pieper and the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Public Affairs office, occurring the day after Jeffrey Epstein's death in custody. It documents the media's attempts to obtain information about Epstein's custody conditions and the government's refusal to provide details.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document involves Matt Pieper (CBS News Radio Anchor/Correspondent), the BOP's Office of Public Affairs, and references Attorney General William Barr and Jeffrey Epstein. It shows the official channels through which information about Epstein's death was controlled.

What does this document reveal about the government's response to Epstein's death?

The document reveals an immediate information lockdown by federal authorities. When CBS News asked whether Epstein was on suicide watch, the BOP refused to answer, only directing reporters to AG Barr's general statement. The internal note indicates strict talking points: provide only the AG's statement and 'decline further comment.'

Was Jeffrey Epstein on suicide watch when he died?

This document shows that the Bureau of Prisons refused to confirm Epstein's suicide watch status when asked by CBS News on August 11, 2019. Later reporting revealed that Epstein had been taken off suicide watch approximately one week before his death, though this document captures the government declining to disclose that information initially.

EFTA00035442 - EFTA00035443

This is an internal email thread between CBS News correspondent Matt Pieper and the Federal Bureau of Prisons' Public Affairs office on August 11, 2019, the day after Jeffrey Epstein's death in custody.

The document captures CBS News attempting to confirm whether Epstein was on suicide watch at the time of his death. The BOP's Public Affairs office declines to provide specific information, only offering Attorney General William Barr's statement and declining further comment. The exchange reveals the government's immediate communications strategy following Epstein's death—limiting information release during the early hours of what would become a highly scrutinized incident.

Key Highlights

•Matt Pieper (CBS News) specifically asked whether Epstein was on suicide watch while in BOP custody
•BOP Public Affairs refused to confirm suicide watch status, only referring to AG Barr's statement
•The email shows the government's restrictive information policy within hours of Epstein's death on August 10, 2019
•Internal guidance: 'the only thing we are saying now is we can provide the AG's statement and we decline further comment'

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

Document Information

Bates Range

EFTA00035442 - EFTA00035443

Pages

Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00035442

From: "BOP-IPP/Public Affairs" < To: Cc: Subject Fwd: RE: CBS News Request - Epstein Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2019 17:24:22 +0000 Importance: Normal Inline-Images: IMAGE.jpeg For any get backs - the only thing we are saying now is we can provide the AG's statement and we decline further comment. Office of Public Affairs Information, Policy and Public Affairs Division Federal Bureau of Prisons >> > "Pieper, Matt" < 8/11/2019 9:06 AM >> > Thank you. But how can I find out if Jeffrey Epstein was on suicide watch while he was in your custody? From: BOP-IPP/Public Affairs Sent: Sunday, August 11, 2019 8:51 AM To: Pieper, Matt C > Subject: Re: CBS News Request - Epstein External Email Matt, We can provide the Attorney General's statement here: https://www.justice.gov/oWpr/statement-attorney-general-william- p-barr-death-'effrey-epstein. We decline further comment. Office of Public Affairs Information, Policy and Public Affairs Division Federal Bureau of Prisons >> > "Pieper, Matt" < 8/11/2019 5:14 AM >> > Hi there — I understand officials may have given a statement yesterday on whether or not Jeffrey Epstein was on suicide watch. Are you able to confirm whether or not he was or might you have a statement regarding the issue that you sent to others? I appreciate it, on behalf of CBS News. EFTA00035442

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,Description: Matt Pieper Radio Anchor/Correspondent NEW YORK, NY EFTA00035443