What is document EFTA00036735?

This is an internal Bureau of Prisons email chain from August 11-12, 2019—just one day after Jeffrey Epstein was found dead at Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. The emails show BOP officials drafting the public statement announcing that two staff members were being placed on administrative leave pending investigation.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Correctional Center New York, and references the Warden (Lamine N'Diaye, though not named in this excerpt) and unnamed Executive Staff. The names of the email authors are redacted.

What does this document reveal about the Epstein death response?

The document reveals behind-the-scenes crisis management at the Bureau of Prisons, including: careful drafting of press language, concern about timing the announcement after staff were notified and after the US Attorney met with the Warden, and a request for comprehensive staffing data (vacancies, AWOL, overtime, hiring progress) that officials knew would face public scrutiny.

What happened to the two MCC staff mentioned in this document?

The two guards—later identified as Michael Thomas and Tova Noel—were placed on administrative leave as announced in this drafted statement. They were subsequently charged with falsifying prison records after video footage showed they failed to check on Epstein for eight hours and instead slept and browsed the internet. Both eventually pleaded guilty.

Why was staffing information requested in this document?

Officials requested staffing data (vacancies, AWOL, long-term leave, hiring progress) because press reports were already linking chronic understaffing and mandatory overtime at MCC to the incident. This became a central issue: both guards on duty were working overtime due to staffing shortages, and the DOJ Inspector General later found systemic understaffing contributed to the failures.

What is document EFTA00036735?

This is an internal Bureau of Prisons email chain from August 11-12, 2019—just one day after Jeffrey Epstein was found dead at Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. The emails show BOP officials drafting the public statement announcing that two staff members were being placed on administrative leave pending investigation.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein, the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Metropolitan Correctional Center New York, and references the Warden (Lamine N'Diaye, though not named in this excerpt) and unnamed Executive Staff. The names of the email authors are redacted.

What does this document reveal about the Epstein death response?

The document reveals behind-the-scenes crisis management at the Bureau of Prisons, including: careful drafting of press language, concern about timing the announcement after staff were notified and after the US Attorney met with the Warden, and a request for comprehensive staffing data (vacancies, AWOL, overtime, hiring progress) that officials knew would face public scrutiny.

What happened to the two MCC staff mentioned in this document?

The two guards—later identified as Michael Thomas and Tova Noel—were placed on administrative leave as announced in this drafted statement. They were subsequently charged with falsifying prison records after video footage showed they failed to check on Epstein for eight hours and instead slept and browsed the internet. Both eventually pleaded guilty.

Why was staffing information requested in this document?

Officials requested staffing data (vacancies, AWOL, long-term leave, hiring progress) because press reports were already linking chronic understaffing and mandatory overtime at MCC to the incident. This became a central issue: both guards on duty were working overtime due to staffing shortages, and the DOJ Inspector General later found systemic understaffing contributed to the failures.

EFTA00036735 - EFTA00036736

Internal Bureau of Prisons email chain from August 11-12, 2019 showing officials drafting the public announcement about placing two MCC New York staff on administrative leave following Jeffrey Epstein's death.

This is a high-value internal government document capturing real-time deliberations within the Bureau of Prisons hours after Jeffrey Epstein was found dead on August 10, 2019. The email chain shows officials drafting the press statement announcing that two staff members would be placed on administrative leave, discussing timing considerations (wanting to notify staff first and coordinate with the US Attorney's meeting with the Warden scheduled for 10 AM on August 12), and requesting staffing data including vacancies, AWOL numbers, and hiring progress—information that would become central to the scandal about understaffing at MCC New York.

Key Highlights

•Shows real-time Bureau of Prisons crisis management within 24 hours of Epstein's death
•Reveals officials drafting the exact language for the administrative leave announcement
•Documents request for staffing data (vacancies, AWOL, overtime) that became central to the scandal
•Notes the US Attorney was meeting with the Warden at 10 AM on August 12, 2019
•Shows concern about coordinating announcement timing with staff notification

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

EFTA00036735 - EFTA00036736

Pages

Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00036735

From: ' To: ' Subject: Re: Draft language Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 10:27:14 +0000 Importance: Normal 'an help if needed too. Ilim my Vcrizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone From: Da To: Subjec - 'ICa MIMEO • e.I ra anguage >» " 08/12/2019 06:01 >>> Will la Sent from my Vcrizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone Fro D To Su , • NIBMAULIZI WAM MEM II ISIL41i0 I ject: w I ra anguage >» 8/12/2019 05:31 >» Ina ! ' i on those two staff, please pull total staffing info, number vacancies, AWOL, long term leave, etc. Also, status of current hiring and progress we have made. Sent from my Vcrizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone EFTA00036735

Page 2 - EFTA00036736

Subject: RE: Draft language » ,8/11/2019 23:12 >» Thi . . an talk tomorrow about the timing. It will also be helpful to get some information about staffing at MCC I've seen additional press reports trying to link the staffing shortages, overtime and this incident. Thanks, From: Sent: Sunda Au ust 11 2019 9:53 PM To: Cc: Subject: ra anguage as discussed, several options are below. Please note that we should discuss timing of all this. I will need to ensure staff are notified first, and I should let my Executive Staff know so they are not taken off guard as ia II no doubt get a lot of questions from their staff and other wardens. Also note that the Warden just called d told him the US Attorney is meeting with him at 10 am<calendar:T1:10%20am> tomorrow<calendar:T5:tomor row>. So this probably should be some time after that interview. Preferred: Today<calendar:T5:Today>, the Bureau of Prisons placed two staff who work in MCC NY on administrative lea ve pending the outcome of the investigation into the apparent suicide of Jeffrey Epstein. Additional actions may be taken as the circumstances of the investigations warrant. A more detailed version of above could read: Today<calendar:T5:Today>, the Bureau of Prisons placed on administrative leave the two staff who worked in th e Special Housing Unit at MCC NY pending the outcome of the investigation into the apparent suicide of Jeffrey Epstein. Additional actions may be taken as the circumstances of the investigations warrant. If a third staff member is added either version can be changed to read "three." If theas added, the following is proposed: The Prisons also temporarily reassigned the endi ng the outcome of the investigation. f the MCC NY. ot to state the n this release, if you decide it needs to be added, his name i= Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone EFTA00036736