What is document EFTA00037224?

This is an internal FBI email chain from August 25-26, 2019, showing coordination between multiple FBI squads investigating Jeffrey Epstein's death. The emails contain operational updates from three different investigative teams: a death investigation squad, a color of law investigation squad, and an obstruction investigation squad.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein (the subject of the investigations), Ghislaine Maxwell (referenced in connection with media reporting), and Michael J. Driscoll, a senior FBI official in the New York field office. Most FBI agent names are redacted.

What does this document reveal about the FBI's Epstein investigations?

The document reveals that within two weeks of Epstein's death, the FBI was running at least three parallel investigations from its New York field office: a death investigation examining how he died (obtaining cell phones and digital evidence), a 'color of law' investigation (typically involving potential civil rights violations by government officials), and an obstruction investigation. It also shows FBI headquarters demanded daily briefings driven by DOJ pressure.

What is a 'color of law' investigation?

A color of law investigation typically examines potential civil rights violations by government officials acting in their official capacity. In this context, it may have been investigating whether prison officials at the Metropolitan Correctional Center violated Epstein's civil rights or failed in their duty to protect him while in custody.

What operational activities does this document describe?

The document describes several active investigative steps: the death investigation squad obtained a cell phone and was extracting its data via CART (Computer Analysis Response Team), and the color of law squad was serving subpoenas at a hotel in the Bronx, NY on August 26, 2019. The obstruction squad reported nothing significant that day.

What is document EFTA00037224?

This is an internal FBI email chain from August 25-26, 2019, showing coordination between multiple FBI squads investigating Jeffrey Epstein's death. The emails contain operational updates from three different investigative teams: a death investigation squad, a color of law investigation squad, and an obstruction investigation squad.

Who is mentioned in this document?

The document mentions Jeffrey Epstein (the subject of the investigations), Ghislaine Maxwell (referenced in connection with media reporting), and Michael J. Driscoll, a senior FBI official in the New York field office. Most FBI agent names are redacted.

What does this document reveal about the FBI's Epstein investigations?

The document reveals that within two weeks of Epstein's death, the FBI was running at least three parallel investigations from its New York field office: a death investigation examining how he died (obtaining cell phones and digital evidence), a 'color of law' investigation (typically involving potential civil rights violations by government officials), and an obstruction investigation. It also shows FBI headquarters demanded daily briefings driven by DOJ pressure.

What is a 'color of law' investigation?

A color of law investigation typically examines potential civil rights violations by government officials acting in their official capacity. In this context, it may have been investigating whether prison officials at the Metropolitan Correctional Center violated Epstein's civil rights or failed in their duty to protect him while in custody.

What operational activities does this document describe?

The document describes several active investigative steps: the death investigation squad obtained a cell phone and was extracting its data via CART (Computer Analysis Response Team), and the color of law squad was serving subpoenas at a hotel in the Bronx, NY on August 26, 2019. The obstruction squad reported nothing significant that day.

EFTA00037224 - EFTA00037226

Internal FBI email chain dated August 26, 2019, showing coordinated updates between multiple FBI squads investigating Jeffrey Epstein's death, including a death investigation, color of law probe, and obstruction investigation.

This document is a heavily redacted internal FBI email chain from August 25-26, 2019—just two weeks after Jeffrey Epstein's death on August 10, 2019. It reveals that the FBI's New York office was running at least three parallel investigations: a death investigation (Squad C-19, Violent Crimes Task Force), a "Color of Law" investigation (Squad C-2), and an obstruction investigation (Squad C-4). The emails discuss operational updates including obtaining a cell phone and serving subpoenas at a Bronx hotel. The chain also references FBI headquarters demanding daily conference calls at 3:30 PM for updates, described as being "largely driven by DOJ." A reference to media reporting on Ghislaine Maxwell and a New Mexico residence appears at the end of one message.

Key Highlights

•FBI was running three simultaneous investigations after Epstein's death: death investigation, color of law probe, and obstruction case
•Death investigation squad obtained a cell phone and was in the process of extracting data via CART (Computer Analysis Response Team)
•Color of law investigation (case 2828-NY-3156749) involved serving subpoenas at a Bronx hotel on August 26, 2019
•FBI HQ required daily 3:30 PM conference calls for updates, described as being 'driven by DOJ'
•Internal email acknowledges frustration with reporting requirements while noting 'nothing you're thinking right now hasn't already been communicated to the highest levels'
•Reference to media reporting about Ghislaine Maxwell and a New Mexico residence driving HQ inquiries

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

Document Information

Bates Range

EFTA00037224 - EFTA00037226

Pages

Document Content

Page 1 - EFTA00037224

From: To: (NY) (FBI)" < FBI (NY) (FBI)" Cc: iaNY) (FBI)" < Subject: RE: Epstein updates 8/26 C4 Date: Mon, 26 Aug 2019 19:26:41 +0000 Importance: Normal I (NY) (FBI)" C19 Death Investigation: Obtained Cell Phone. In process of dumping phone via CART. Concur with C2. SA FBI-New York C-19 Violent Crimes Task Force Desk: Cell: Fax: From: (NY) (FBI) Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 3:23 PM To: (NY) (FBI) c >; (NY) (FBI) (NY) (FBI) < Cc: -. (NY) (FBI) an>; Subject: RE: Epstein updates 8/26 C4 Squad C2 Color of Law Investigation 2828-NY-3156749 Agents are serving subpoena on hotel in Bronx, NY. From: . (NY) (FBI) Sent: Monday, August 26, 2019 2:09 PM To: . (NY) (FBI) < >; (FBI) < >; (NY) (FBI) < Cc: -. (NY) (FBI) 'cl >; Subject: Epstein updates 8/26 C4 Squad C4 Obstruction Investigation 72-NY-3157147 • Nothing significant to report (NY) (FBI) < (NY) (FBI) < (NY) (FBI) < (NY) (FBI) <I >; >; (NY) EFTA00037224

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From: (NY) (FBI) Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2019 11:46 AM To: Driscoll, Michael J. (NY) (FBI) < (NY) (FBI) < >; I. (NY) (FBI) < >; . (NY) (FBI) <->; (NY) (FBI) (NY) (FBI) < >; . (NY) (FBI) > Subject: Epstein updates All, After much engagement with HQ over the past 48 hours, and our efforts to both consolidate and limit the reporting requirements, HQ is now requesting updates in a conference call to be held daily at 1530. You should all receive the bridge line information tomorrow. Trust me, nothing you're thinking right now hasn't already been communicated to the highest levels. IMO, this is largely driven by DOJ. Is it inconvenient? Yes. Regardless, we'll need to support the calls because those you all deal with in CID are in the exact same position as you. We should support each other and push through. Based on all my calls with HQ, here are some of my thoughts on how we should go forward: Many questions I'm receiving are driven by media reporting (e.g. Maxwell, NM residence search, etc.). If you see sustained reporting on one aspect, get ahead of it. For example...media has been all over the location and role of Maxwell as a co-conspirator. I advised that based on the volume and quality of evidence we have, the team is currently focused on charges for a different co-conspirator. However, we're engaged with Counsel for all co-conspirators. Kill the rumor before it gets legs in the minds of senior leadership. With regard to interviews or other investigative techniques, stay general unless we have significant information. You could say, "we conducted interviews of 14 MCC Corrections Officers and continued with the financial analysis but don't have anything signficant to report." Only give names of an interviewee if there was something significant. If we don't have significant results to report, it's ok to say so. Be mindful that most, if not all, of what you say will be pushed to the seventh floor. - Tuesday is a big day with the hearing so be prepared to talk it on Monday and beyond. You can provide the approximate number of victims expected to attend and any efforts we have in making that happen (coordinating transportation, etc.). On Tuesday you'll give the read out of the hearing. In your reporting over the next few days/weeks, stay focused on the investigation of the co-conspirators and stay tight with SDNY on conversations they're having with Counsel and the direction we're headed towards charges. / and on Wednesday - I've continually expressed to HQ how C-19 and C-2 are tight on the drug/sex case. You guys can speak together about that case. Clearly we're focused on analysis of the phones as well as the nature and timing of likely charges. - I talked to and know that you guys have a couple big interviews to do that will determine if the PC case has any legs or if gets shut down. I would focus on advising of the timing of those interviews. - I've included you here FYSA. Let me know if you want the bridge line details as well. Enjoy your Sunday. EFTA00037225

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New York Field Office Criminal - Branch C Desk Cell EFTA00037226