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CBS News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
CBS News investigation of Jeffrey Epstein jail video reveals new discrepancies
In the weeks after Jeffrey Epstein died at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in lower Manhattan, in August 2019, then-Attorney General William Barr said his "personal review" of surveillance footage clearly showed that no one entered the area where Epstein was housed, leading him to agree with the conclusion of the medical examiner that Epstein had died by suicide. It's a claim that's been repeated by other top federal officials, including FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who said on Fox News' "Fox and Friends" in May, "There's video clear as day — he's the only person in there and the only person coming out." But a CBS News analysis of the raw video the FBI made public earlier this month reveals that the recording doesn't provide a clear view of the entrance to Epstein's cell block — one of several contradictions between officials' descriptions of the video and the video itself. CBS News also digitally reconstructed the Special Housing Unit, or SHU, where Epstein was held, using diagrams and descriptions from the 2023 report on Epstein released by the Justice Department inspector general. The CBS News review found the video does little to provide evidence to support claims that were later made by federal officials. Additionally, CBS News has identified multiple inconsistencies between that report and the video that raise serious questions about the accuracy of witness statements and the thoroughness of the government's investigation. The review doesn't refute the conclusion that Epstein died by suicide. But it raises questions about the strength and credibility of the government's investigation, which appears to have drawn conclusions from the video that are not readily observable. The silent surveillance video, which runs for 11 hours, provides a narrow window into Epstein's world during his last hours on earth. Staffers on duty that night in the Metropolitan Correctional Center carry blankets, fill out paperwork and occasionally appear to doze off. The grainy, pixelated footage shows two doors, a nondescript blue trash can and a stair landing. Beyond the banister, a third of the frame is filled with a bright, fluorescent-lit open area. A staircase is visible on the left, and in the back, a dark, blurry patch marks the correctional officer's desk. To the right of the desk is the faint outline of part of the staircase leading up to Epstein's cell. Several cameras in the Special Housing Unit were functioning but unmonitored, the report said, and the government has stated that a failure of the digital video recording system resulted in the loss of most of the footage from the night of Aug. 9-10, 2019, that would have provided a fuller view. The video that was released begins at 7:40 p.m. Nine minutes later, according to the report of the Justice Department inspector general, Epstein appears for the first and last time on camera. He emerges from the left side of the screen and walks down a stairwell accompanied by a corrections officer. Employees told investigators that Epstein had just finished an unmonitored call, later reported to have been with his girlfriend in Belarus. The video rolls, almost uninterrupted, for the next 11 hours. At 6:30 a.m., corrections officers can be seen rushing across the frame. The Justice Department later disclosed that that's when Epstein's body was discovered. Over the course of the night, the staff on duty failed to conduct the required 30-minute check-ins on Epstein while he spent the night alone in his cell. Prison officials had already determined that he was a suicide risk — he had allegedly tried to kill himself weeks earlier, in mid-July. Because of this, under prison protocol, he was assigned a roommate. But that roommate had been transferred earlier in the day and prison staff had not assigned him a new one. Two staff members, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, were ultimately charged with falsifying records, but the charges were later dropped. There were no supervisors or Bureau of Prisons officials punished for these alleged oversights that preceded the death of the highest-profile prisoner in the facility — perhaps in the entire federal prison system. Last month, the FBI announced the Epstein case was closed, based partly on the video evidence, and reiterated that Epstein had killed himself in his cell as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges. Here are the inconsistencies identified by CBS News: The video, cross-referenced with diagrams of the Epstein holding area, does not appear to support that finding. That becomes obvious in the first 10 minutes of the video. Epstein's cell was in the L Block, accessible via a staircase from the Special Housing Unit's common area. When Epstein appears on camera, he is seen walking toward the stairs leading to his cell, but since the staircase is almost entirely out of view from the camera, he is never seen ascending. The entrance to Epstein's cell, as well as the primary entrance to the SHU, are off camera in the same direction, meaning there's no way to tell from the video if he went to his cell or exited the SHU. While brief movement is occasionally visible on the stairs when someone is walking up the left side, the area remains mostly obscured throughout the recording, making it impossible to determine if someone may have entered the SHU through the primary entrance and accessed the staircase without ever being captured on the recording. This appears to directly contradict the FBI and the inspector general's assertion and allows for the possibility of unrecorded movement between those areas. Without visual evidence, the case relies on the word of staff members Noel and Thomas that no one entered. At one point the Justice Department noted both of them appeared to have fallen asleep, although Noel denies this. Jim Stafford, a video forensics expert, reviewed the footage and the inspector general's report and told CBS News, "To say that there's no way that someone could get to that — the stair up to his room — without being seen is false." Four other leading video forensics experts interviewed by CBS News concurred. Just before 10:40 p.m., an orange shape is seen moving up the stairs leading to Epstein's tier. The report says. "Through review and analysis of the SHU video footage, witness statements, and BOP records, the OIG determined that at approximately 10:40 p.m. a CO [corrections officer], believed to be Noel, carried linen or inmate clothing up to the L Tier, which was the last time any CO approached the only entrance to the SHU tier in which Epstein was housed." Video forensic experts who reviewed that footage at the request of CBS News were skeptical about that interpretation and suggested that the shape could be a person dressed in an orange prison jumpsuit climbing the stairs. Conor McCourt, a retired NYPD sergeant and forensic video expert, told CBS News, "Based on the limited video, it's more likely it's a person in an [orange] uniform." The Justice Department said the FBI seized the prison's digital video recorder system, or DVR, containing the raw footage five days after Epstein's death. When federal officials released the jail video, they attested that it was "raw footage," but the presence of a cursor and onscreen menu raise questions about that. Experts told CBS News those images indicate the video was likely a screen recording rather than an export directly from a DVR system. Several forensic experts CBS News spoke with, including Jim Stafford of Eclipse Forensic Services and Conor McCourt of McCourt Video Analysis, said they had not viewed surveillance footage in this format. They said it was unlikely to have been an export of the raw footage and that instead, it appears to be two separate video segments that were stitched together. Stafford, who looked at the video using specialized software to extract the underlying coding, known as metadata, said the metadata showed that the file was first created on May 23 of this year and that it was likely a "screen capture, not an actual export" of the raw file. In addition, the analysts said, a shift in the frame aspect ratio (that is, the ratio of the width to the height of an image) indicated that it was two clips edited together, not a continuous run of footage. Government sources familiar with the investigation tell CBS News that the actual raw video is in possession of the FBI, but that it was not what the department released. A report by the website Wired had previously alleged nearly three minutes of footage appeared to be missing, based on the metadata. CBS News' analysis found that because the video was running at a slightly higher speed, and with one minute missing when the clock jumped ahead to midnight, the video was actually only 10 hours and 52 minutes in length, as opposed to the full 11 hours. The time counter burned into the video moves without interruption until shortly before midnight. Then the time leaps forward by one minute without explanation. When the feed returns at 12 a.m., the video's aspect ratio changes slightly, a barely perceptible shift in view that experts said is another indication that the footage was edited or reprocessed and is not raw. During this minute, an unnamed staffer with the title Materials Handler — on duty from 4 p.m. to midnight — would have finished his shift and, and is assumed to have left the unit. While there is nothing to suggest this action has any relevance to the events of that evening, the missing stretch of time raises questions about the value of the video to conclusively determine what occurred. There is no mention of a missing minute in the inspector general's report. A government source familiar with the investigation tells CBS News that Attorney General Pam Bondi was incorrect in her statement that the security system had a nightly reset resulting in a lost minute every night. "There was a minute that was off that counter, and what we learned from Bureau of Prisons was every year, every night, they redo that video," Bondi said July 8, noting that the system was old. "Every night is reset, so every night should have that same missing minute. So we're looking for that video as well, to show it's missing every night." But a high-level government source familiar with the investigation told CBS News that the FBI, the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice's Office of Inspector General are in possession of full unedited copies of the video, and those copies do not have a missing minute. Why Bondi said that the video resets is not clear. In a statement to CBS News, the Bureau of Prisons said, "We can confirm Attorney General Bondi's statement." The inspector general's report says only two staff members entered the unit after midnight: one is a corrections officer, identified only as "CO3," and the other is described as the Morning Watch Operations Lieutenant. The presence of a third unidentified individual seen on the video is not addressed by the inspector general's report. The report says Noel stated she left Epstein alone in the shower area, where he had made his unmonitored phone call. She told officials she left the area to use the restroom in an adjoining area, and when she returned, Epstein had already been escorted to his cell by someone else. But the video shows what appears to be Noel remaining in the unit and personally escorting Epstein to the staircase leading to his cell. There is another female staffer present, who is seen on camera exiting the unit just before Epstein is escorted. She returns shortly afterward. This discrepancy occurs during a crucial time period. Epstein had been allowed to make an unmonitored call from a shower area using a phone line intended only for attorney communications. According to the report, this was facilitated by the unit manager, who was the senior officer in charge. Epstein allegedly said he wanted to call his mother — even though his mother died in 2003. The unit manager dialed a 646 number (a New York City area code), a man answered, and he handed the phone to Epstein. The unit manager then left the area but later called and asked Noel to retrieve the phone. The Bureau of Prisons' Northeast regional director later told investigators that the unmonitored call was extremely concerning, stating: "We don't know what happened on that phone. It could have potentially led to the incident [Epstein's death], but we don't — we will never know." In assessing the video, Justice Department officials have said no one could have entered Epstein's tier without being seen because (1) the staircase was visible on the tape, and (2) access to the SHU was only possible by passing through two locked doors, which are both off camera. One door is remotely operated and one requires a physical key, which Noel told investigators only she and Thomas possessed. However, the video shows several individuals entering and exiting while Thomas and Noel are seen nowhere near the door, or not present at all, contradicting her statement. As a result, there is no way to know from the video if it indeed was possible for someone to enter the unit and climb the stairs to Epstein's cell without being seen. In addition to the cameras that failed to record other angles of the SHU common area, the inspector general's report states there were two additional cameras recording events in the vicinity of the Epstein unit — one covering an elevator bank used to transport inmates and another focused on a nearby guard desk. Neither of those videos has been released, but a screen grab from one was included in the report. While federal officials have dismissed those recordings as unhelpful in documenting what occurred that night, experts told CBS News that those videos could add value to the analysis. They could, for instance, help determine whether the DVR system did in fact reset nightly and consistently lose one minute, as Attorney General Pam Bondi has said — or provide evidence to contradict her claim. CBS News has reached out to the Justice Department, the Bureau of Prisons, the FBI and the Justice Department inspector general to discuss what is shown on the video recording. The FBI and BOP declined to comment, and the Justice Department referred us back to the FBI. In a statement to CBS News, a spokesperson for the inspector general emailed the following: "The OIG appreciates the careful review of our report. Our comprehensive assessment of the circumstances over the weeks, days, and hours before Epstein's death included the effects of the longstanding, chronic staffing crisis in the BOP and the BOP's failure to provide and maintain quality camera coverage within its facilities. As CBS notes, nothing in its analysis changed or modified the OIG's conclusions or recommendations." CBS News has also sought interviews with Tova Noel and Michael Thomas directly and through their attorneys. They have not responded but have previously denied any involvement in actions that could have contributed to Epstein's death. Robert Hood, a former Bureau of Prisons chief of internal affairs and warden of the Supermax facility in Colorado, said he has reviewed the inspector general's report, and in an email told CBS News: "In my opinion, the summary investigative reports don't provide adequate details concerning Epstein's death. … The BOP's new director (William Marshall) should provide internal investigative reports concerning the MCC involving Epstein's death and related historical data at the jail." Mark Epstein, Jeffrey Epstein's younger brother, has long voiced his belief that his brother did not die by suicide, but was murdered. He spoke with CBS News and said without a recording of the camera in the actual tier where Epstein was housed, it is unclear if the door to his brother's prison cell had been properly locked or if other prisoners could have had access. That tier housed as many as 14 inmates and only three voluntarily spoke to investigators, according to the IG report. Only one has been identified publicly by name. Alyssa Spady, Hannah Marr and Layla Ferris contributed to this report.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'They knew…!': Bubba the Love Sponge blames Hulk Hogan's close friends for not disclosing his health issues
Hulk Hogan (Image Source: Getty) As the entire WWE Universe is currently reeling with the sudden demise of WWE legend and Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan, amidst the sadness, a WWE legend has reportedly blamed Hogan's close friends for covering his health issues. WWE icon Hulk Hogan passed away on July 24, 2025, due to cardiac arrest at his Clearwater residence in Florida. Despite immediate medical attention, Hogan could not be revived. Hulk Hogan's unfortunate death has left everyone in shock. Amidst this tough time, one of his closest allies has accused Hogan's close friends of allegedly keeping fans in the dark. Bubba the Love Sponge, who was a longtime friend of Hogan, says people in Hogan's circle knew for a while that things were going downhill for him, but still they chose to remain silent. Bubba the Love Sponge blames Hulk Hogan's friends for not disclosing his health issues American radio personality and Hulk Hogan 's closest ally, Bubba the Love Sponge , has reportedly blamed Hulk Hogan's friends for covering up and not disclosing his health issues. Bubba has spoken about it recently in a podcast. Speaking on his Over The Line Podcas t, Bubba revealed how frustrated he was that the truth wasn't shared with the public before Hogan's passing. During the podcast, he said, 'I think the Hogan people really made a mistake if they just would have told the truth. It would have completely debunked me. I mean, it takes all my bullets away with regards to having a scoop on something that I know they're lying about.' Bubba Was RIGHT About Hulk Hogan All Along | Over The Line Podcast He even went on to explain that even a simple public statement about Hogan's post-surgery struggles could have changed the conversation, but instead, fans were misled. Bubba further added, ' If they would have said, 'Yeah, you know what? Hogan's not doing so good right now. He's having complications from a neck and back surgery. We're very concerned. Please pray for Hulk.' None of that. It was always, you know, 'He's doing good. He's doing strong. Day by day, we're good.' I mean, Jimmy Hart alluded to the fact that they were at karaoke on Monday.' Bubba also mentioned a moment where Hogan's declining health was visible to anyone paying attention, pointing to a TV appearance that made things clear about his deteriorating health. He added, 'That and along with Seth—remember when we watched Bischoff this past week and he was re-promoting on Fox and Friends that they had just signed a deal with Fox Nation? And remember when I said, just look how tired and sad he looks? Yes. They knew. They've known for a long time that he wasn't going to make it. And unfortunately, that turned out to be the case.' (source: Ringside News) Triple H pays his heartfelt tribute to the legend Following the sudden demise of Hulk Hogan, several wrestling figures have poured their heartfelt tribute to the wrestling legend, including WWE Chief Content Officer, Triple H . The WWE chief took to his social media and posted a heartfelt tribute to Hogan and prayed for the departed soul. Taking to his X/Twitter account, he wrote, 'WWE would not be where it is today without the larger-than-life characters that compete in the ring … and few, if any, loomed larger than Terry 'Hulk Hogan' Bollea.' Sharing his in-ring memories with Hulk Hogan, Triple H further shared, 'He was the archetype of what it meant to be a 'Superstar' - a global sensation that inspired millions to work hard at whatever it was they wanted to accomplish and a look that made him recognizable to fans around the world.' He further stated, 'Hulk Hogan, clad in red and yellow or nWo black and white, was simply put, iconic. As a Real American or the leader of one of the industry's biggest factions, he transcended and elevated the entire business to heights never before seen - in every country and on every continent.' Read : Remembering Hulk Hogan: Early WWE career highlights, legacy, and controversies | WWE News - Times of India There was no one like The Hulkster, and there very well may never be another. My family sends their condolences to his family, friends, and fans, he added. Further, WWE paid a tribute to the legend last Friday on SmackDown's 25th July, 2025 edition. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nick Saban shares humorous response to coaching return rumor
For the first time since the rumor was shared during SEC media days, former Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has publicly commented on his potential interest in returning to coaching. In a recent television appearance on Fox News' Fox and Friends, Saban was asked in an interview the question as to if he would ever return to the sidelines again. Saban, in response, appeared to shut down speculation on a potential return, while also giving a humorous answer. "I never really ever had a thought about getting back into coaching, until two days ago Mrs. Terry said I had to run the sweeper in the entire downstairs," Saban said. "While running the sweeper, the thought occurred to me," When you were coaching, you had a heck of a lot better job than this. That is only time I considered it." "There is no opportunity that I know of right now, that would enhance me to go back to coaching." Saban also later added. Saban, who announced his retirement back in Jan. 2024, was the head coach at Alabama for 17 seasons from 2007-23, winning six national championships during that span. As the head coach at Alabama, Saban also compiled a 206-29 overall record, recorded 16 10-win seasons, and won nine SEC championships. Since announcing his retirement, Saban has remained around college football, most notably through his role on ESPN's weekly show "College GameDay." As to if Saban would ever return, the answer certainly appears unlikely in the near future. Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Nick Saban weighs in on President Donald Trump's executive order for college sports
The educational model that President Donald Trump is aiming for is a great step for college sports, says the former Alabama head coach. Questions regarding the regulation of Name, Image, and Likeness, transfer portal, and the split of resources between sports, have been a hot topic surrounding college athletics over recent years, which has sparked the debate of whether or not college athletics have turned into a professional model rather than an amateur one. This week, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will "protect student-athletes and collegiate athletic scholarships and opportunities, including in Olympic and non-revenue programs, and the unique American institution of college sports." In the fact sheet released by The White House, the executive order aims to expand scholarship opportunities for women's sports and non-revenue sports, prohibits third-party pay-for-play payments, and to preserve non-revenue sports and the irreplaceable educational and developmental opportunities that college sports provide. After the executive order was signed and released, former Alabama head coach Nick Saban shared his opinion on the matter on the show Fox and Friends on FOX News, where he said that Trump's order aligns with what he thinks college sports should be, which promotes an educational model for student-athletes during their time as a student, as well as their time as a college graduate. "The executive order provides a huge step in providing the educational model that has always been what we've sort of tried to promote to create opportunities for players, male and female alike, revenue and non-revenue, so that they can have development as people, students and develop careers and develop professionally if that's what they choose to do." Saban also mentioned that this order will soon answer the question of a university wanting to promote and educational model compared to a professional one. The topic of revenue sharing has made its way to Auburn, as head football coach Hugh Freeze and athletic director John Cohen have publicly stated that they are eager to learn more information about the new model and how it affects recruiting. Auburn football has seen a dip in recruiting, which Freeze and Cohen feel is the result of the uncertainty of the penalties established with breaking rules. "We at Auburn are going to take that very seriously. But we're still going to win recruiting battles. We're going to do it the right way," Cohen said earlier this month. "I can't speak for the rest of the recruiting world, but I can tell you this, Auburn is going to do it the right way." The new order will present new opportunities for collegiate athletes everywhere, and it will be interesting to see how it affects Auburn athletes in the future. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
Irish Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Hulk Hogan's 'unrecognisable' and 'unwell' change in last TV appearance
Just weeks before his passing at the age of 71, wrestling icon Hulk Hogan made his final telly appearance in May on Fox and Friends to chat about his latest endeavour, Real American Freestyle wrestling. However, viewers were more focused on his physical state, with many describing him as appearing "unwell." Social media was ablaze with comments about the wrestling legend's appearance. Known for his signature bronzed complexion, fans insisted that Hogan's skin seemed unusually aged all of a sudden. In his last TV outing, the WWE star donned a T-shirt emblazoned with 'America first, beer second', topped off with his trademark red bandana and sunglasses perched atop his head. His facial hair also drew attention, with his beard dyed pitch black while his goatee and hair remained stark white. Hulk looked very different (Image: Fox News) Online remarks were relentless, with one viewer jesting at the time: "Tell Hulk Hogan his face is dirty, clean that soot off." Another chimed in: "Does anyone believe this is Hulk Hogan?", reports the Mirror. A third likened his look to a toy, jokingly saying, "Hulk Hogan giving off Wooly Willy vibes this am on Fox and Friends." Others expressed their worry for the WWE legend, with one viewer penning: "Hulk looks so different. I really hope he's doing okay." Other viewers also pointed out that while Hogan tried to explain his new wrestling league, his thoughts appeared scattered, and the segment veered into rambling. Hogan's death was confirmed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), in a statement on X which read: "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away. "One of pop culture's most recognisable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s." Hulk Hogan is a legend within wrestling (Image: Getty Images) WWE extends its condolences to Hogan's family, friends, and fans. "". TMZ has also reported that paramedics were called to the 71 year old's residence in Clearwater, Florida. The devastating news emerges just weeks after his spouse, Sky, was forced to dismiss claims he was in a coma. Hogan is understood to have experienced a heart attack at his Florida residence. Reports suggest that emergency services were summoned to Hulk's Clearwater, Florida home during the early hours of Thursday morning; sources indicate operators confirmed it was a "cardiac arrest". (Image: Fox News) TMZ has stated that numerous police vehicles and ambulances were stationed outside the wrestling icon's property, and he was 'transported on a stretcher into an ambulance'. The recording from the emergency call, as medics raced to Hulk Hogan's residence, has been released. In the audio, secured by TMZ, emergency responders can be heard confirming that a patient had suffered cardiac arrest. Just weeks prior to Hulk's passing, a spokesperson for the WWE legend refuted rumours he was seriously unwell. In May, it was revealed he'd received a minor "fusion procedure" on his neck. But in June, a YouTuber alleged that matters were "not looking good" for him. Dismissing the rumours, a spokesperson confirmed that Hulk's operation had been "successful" and there were "no reasons to panic." They stated: "He just needs from time to time a medical check up." (Image: Corbis via Getty Images) In his last Instagram footage, Hogan created a promotional video for Real American Beer where he sampled the alcoholic drink and urged his followers to taste the patriotic brew. "Real American beer, made in America, by real Americans," he declared before taking a sip. "Get some, brother. That's Americ,a brother," he continued. The wrestling community has started responding to the devastating news of Hulk Hogan's passing, as he's been praised as "one of pop culture's most recognisable figures". Ric Flair, who is a champion in wrestling like Hulk, offered his condolences as he posted online: "I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan!". "Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When I Didn't Ask For Him To Be. Hulk Hogan has died following a 'cardiac arrest' (Image: Getty Images) "He Was One Of The First To Visit Me When I Was In The Hospital With A 2% Chance Of Living, And He Prayed By My Bedside. Hulk Also Lent Me Money When Reid Was Sick. Hulkster, No One Will Ever Compare To You! Rest In Peace My Friend!" Hollywood icon Sylvester took to Instagram to share a photo of himself with Hulk, who he starred alongside in Rocky III in 1982. The actor expressed: "I had the pleasure of meeting this brilliant personality and showman when he was 26 years old. He was absolutely wonderful and his amazing skill made Rocky three incredibly special. My heart breaks. I think that he's gone.." Broadcaster Piers Morgan, who once interviewed Hulk, has also labelled the WWE star as the "most iconic" wrestler. In a statement posted on X, previously known as Twitter, he stated: "RIP Hulk Hogan - the most iconic wrestler in history, a wonderful character, and in person, a far gentler, charming, intelligent man far removed from his snarling beast ring (and Rocky movie! ) persona. Sad news."
