Attorney General Bill Barr had some more choice words for the Metropolitan Correctional Facility on Monday, two days after Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his jail cell. Reports suggested that Epstein, a prominent financier accused of child trafficking and conspiracy, committed suicide. Barr says he's gathered some fresh information about the prison's supposed incompetence, information that has left him "appalled" and "angry."
“We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation," Barr said at a national policing conference in New Orleans.
NEW: Attorney General Bill Barr says he was "appalled" and "angry" at the failure to "adequately secure" Jeffrey Epstein.
— ABC News (@ABC) August 12, 2019
"We are now learning of serious irregularities at this facility that are deeply concerning and demand a thorough investigation." https://t.co/NPRWFgssFd pic.twitter.com/zZy1Su9za2
Correctional officers were instructed to check on the inmate every half an hour, but on the day Epstein died, they had allegedly failed to see him for several hours. The two guards on duty were also reportedly "overworked." One had worked over 80 hours in the week leading up to Epstein's death.
The bigger tragedy, many will tell you, is how Epstein's victims will never see him held accountable for his actions. Barr pledged to somehow seek out their long overdue "justice."
"This case will continue on against anyone who was complicit with Epstein," the AG said. "Any coconspirators should not rest easy, the victims deserve justice and they will get it."
Some people like Mimi Rocah, a former federal prosecutor for the Southern District of New York, think Barr is one to talk, because he oversees the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
This makes it sound like BOP is under someone else’s control. It’s not. https://t.co/ww5aLdUa9d
— Mimi Rocah (@Mimirocah1) August 12, 2019