The Vault: The Epstein Files

MCC Corrections Officer Michael Thomas And His OIG Interview Related To Epstein's Death (Part 4) (3/3/26)

Mar 4, 2026
Michael Thomas, a veteran federal correctional officer at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, recalls his role and memories of monitoring Jeffrey Epstein in the Special Housing Unit. He discusses cellmate changes, a July incident involving Nicholas Tartaglione, procedures like suicide observation and the hot list, and details about the August 9–10 overnight shift and rounds that night.
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ANECDOTE

Thomas Describes Responding To July 23 Incident

  • Michael Thomas describes responding to an incident where Epstein was removed from his cell and taken to the suicide watch area after claiming his cellmate tried to harm him.
  • Thomas says he arrived second, helped move Epstein to the suicide room, observed him incoherent, and recalls declothing and placing him in the second-floor area with the lieutenant present.
INSIGHT

Epstein's Claim About Cellmate Was Treated As Routine

  • Thomas reports Epstein told officers his cellmate Tartaglione tried to beat him, but Thomas did not find the claim credible and thought Epstein might be seeking to get out of the cell.
  • Thomas says the claim was passed up to the lieutenant and staffing removed Tartaglione as cellmate, suggesting routine institutional handling rather than heightened concern.
ANECDOTE

Thomas Was Not Involved With Epstein's Return From Suicide Watch

  • Thomas says he did not personally handle Epstein's return from suicide watch and was unsure who Epstein's cellmate was after July 30.
  • He repeatedly notes he didn't work in that area and couldn’t recall details about inmates like Efren Reyes or cell assignments.
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