WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.370 --> 00:00:03.310 What's up everyone and welcome to another episode of the 2 00:00:03.410 --> 00:00:06.860 Epstein Chronicles. Now that we finished up with the Sarah 3 00:00:06.889 --> 00:00:10.160 Kellan transcript from her visit to Congress, we're going to 4 00:00:10.179 --> 00:00:14.359 begin diving in to Tova Noels, who of course was 5 00:00:14.439 --> 00:00:17.120 one of the guards that was tasked with watching Jeffrey 6 00:00:17.219 --> 00:00:20.359 Epstein on the night that he died. And the person 7 00:00:20.420 --> 00:00:25.679 asking the questions this time around is Ms. Feyerabend. This 8 00:00:25.739 --> 00:00:28.600 is a transcribed interview of Tova Noel conducted by the 9 00:00:28.640 --> 00:00:32.280 House Committee on Oversight and government reform granted to it 10 00:00:32.340 --> 00:00:36.380 pursuant to House Rule X. Accordingly, House Rule X grants 11 00:00:36.420 --> 00:00:40.060 the committee broad jurisdiction for the committee to conduct investigations 12 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:43.920 of any matter at any time. This interview was requested 13 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:47.240 by Chairman James Comer as part of the committee's investigation 14 00:00:47.770 --> 00:00:52.189 into the circumstances and subsequent investigations into the crimes of 15 00:00:52.270 --> 00:00:56.829 Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, the operation of sex trafficking rings, 16 00:00:57.409 --> 00:01:00.250 and ways for the federal government to effectively combat them. 17 00:01:01.049 --> 00:01:03.909 The ways in which Mr. Epstein and Ms. Maxwell sought 18 00:01:03.929 --> 00:01:07.709 to curry favor and exercise influence to protect their illegal 19 00:01:07.769 --> 00:01:13.079 activities and potential violations of ethics rules related to elected officials. 20 00:01:13.920 --> 00:01:16.480 Can the witness please state her name and spell her 21 00:01:16.519 --> 00:01:24.120 last name for the record? Ms. Noel. Tova Noel. N-O-E-L. Ms. Farabend. 22 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:27.799 I want to thank Ms. Noel for appearing here voluntarily today. 23 00:01:28.439 --> 00:01:31.819 My name is Emily Feyerbend, and I'm counsel for Chairman 24 00:01:31.859 --> 00:01:35.680 James Comer. Under the Committee on Oversight and Government Reforms Rules, 25 00:01:36.000 --> 00:01:38.700 you're allowed to have counsel present to advise you during 26 00:01:38.739 --> 00:01:41.579 this interview. Do you have counsel representing you in a 27 00:01:41.620 --> 00:01:47.530 personal capacity present with you today? Ms. Noel, yes. Question. 28 00:01:47.849 --> 00:01:51.230 Will counsel please identify themselves for the record? Mr. Foy, 29 00:01:51.569 --> 00:01:58.329 Jason Foye. Mr. Brioche, Rudy Brioche. Ms. Fierabend, thank you. 30 00:01:58.780 --> 00:02:01.840 And for the record, starting with the majority staff, can 31 00:02:01.859 --> 00:02:05.459 the additional staff members please introduce themselves with their name, title, 32 00:02:05.739 --> 00:02:12.120 and affiliation? Billy Grant, Deputy Chief Counsel for Investigations, Chairman Comer. 33 00:02:12.620 --> 00:02:17.259 Jack Emmer, Chief Counsel for Investigations for Chairman Comer. Mr. Ashworth, 34 00:02:17.919 --> 00:02:22.840 General Counsel for Chairman Comer. Ryan Giacchetti. Chief Counsel for 35 00:02:22.900 --> 00:02:27.240 Chairman Comer. Will Harnese, Professional Staff Member for Chairman Comer. 36 00:02:28.099 --> 00:02:34.060 Hannah Cathay, Professional Staff Member, Chairman Comer. Ellison Tolan, Counsel, 37 00:02:34.340 --> 00:02:40.080 Chairman Comer. Brittany Brignac, Senior Counsel for Chairman Comer. Ashley Vineyard, 38 00:02:40.530 --> 00:02:44.909 Deputy Staff Director for Chairman Comer. Mr. Spector, Peter Spector, 39 00:02:45.189 --> 00:02:49.710 Director of Oversight for Chairman Comer. Mallory Koger, Director of 40 00:02:49.810 --> 00:02:53.180 Operations and Chief Clerk. for Chairman Comer. The next group 41 00:02:53.219 --> 00:03:00.090 of names, all redacted. So we're just going to skip them. Ms. Fierabend, 42 00:03:00.530 --> 00:03:03.550 thank you all. And I also see that we have 43 00:03:03.590 --> 00:03:08.340 a member that just joined us. Would he please identify himself? Mr. Walkinshaw, 44 00:03:08.680 --> 00:03:14.439 good morning. I am James Walkinshaw from Virginia's 11th District. Question, 45 00:03:14.460 --> 00:03:17.400 thank you. Ms. Noel, before we begin, I'd like to 46 00:03:17.439 --> 00:03:20.789 go over the ground rules for this transcribed interview. The 47 00:03:20.830 --> 00:03:23.949 questioning will proceed in rounds. The majority will ask questions 48 00:03:23.990 --> 00:03:26.330 for up to an hour, and then the minority will 49 00:03:26.349 --> 00:03:28.610 have the opportunity to ask questions for up to an 50 00:03:28.650 --> 00:03:31.969 hour if they choose. To the extent the members have 51 00:03:32.030 --> 00:03:35.780 questions for the witness, they will be propounded during the 52 00:03:35.819 --> 00:03:39.039 side's respective rounds. The clock will stop if you need 53 00:03:39.060 --> 00:03:42.080 to confer with counsel, your counsel is speaking, and when 54 00:03:42.120 --> 00:03:45.919 members of staff are speaking during the opposing side's round 55 00:03:45.939 --> 00:03:49.430 of questions. We'll alternate back and forth until there are 56 00:03:49.469 --> 00:03:54.110 no more questions. Do you understand? Ms. Noel, yes, ma'am. Question. 57 00:03:54.650 --> 00:03:57.050 There is a court reporter taking down everything I say 58 00:03:57.069 --> 00:03:59.789 and everything you say to make a written record of 59 00:03:59.830 --> 00:04:02.969 the interview. For the record to be clear, please wait 60 00:04:02.990 --> 00:04:06.689 until the staffer questioning you finishes each question before you 61 00:04:06.710 --> 00:04:09.610 begin your answer, and the staffer will wait until you 62 00:04:09.650 --> 00:04:13.710 finish your response before proceeding to the next question. Further, 63 00:04:13.969 --> 00:04:17.009 to ensure the court reporter can properly record this interview, 64 00:04:17.629 --> 00:04:22.079 Please speak clearly, concisely, and slowly. Also, the court reporter 65 00:04:22.139 --> 00:04:25.980 cannot record nonverbal answers, such as nodding or shaking your head. 66 00:04:26.819 --> 00:04:29.259 So it's important that you answer each question with an 67 00:04:29.480 --> 00:04:33.819 audible verbal answer. Exhibits may be entered into the record. 68 00:04:34.600 --> 00:04:39.370 Majority exhibits will be identified numerically. Minority exhibits will be 69 00:04:39.449 --> 00:04:45.319 identified alphabetically. Do you understand? Ms. Noel, yes ma'am. Question 2. 70 00:04:45.319 --> 00:04:47.319 We want you to answer our questions in the most 71 00:04:47.370 --> 00:04:50.589 complete and truthful manner possible, so we'll take our time. 72 00:04:51.269 --> 00:04:53.329 If you have any questions or do not fully understand 73 00:04:53.350 --> 00:04:56.610 the question, please let us know. We will attempt to clarify, 74 00:04:56.629 --> 00:05:00.800 add context to, or rephrase our questions. If we ask 75 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:04.279 about specific conversations or events in the past, and you're 76 00:05:04.319 --> 00:05:07.259 unable to recall the exact words or details, you should 77 00:05:07.279 --> 00:05:11.339 testify to the substance of those conversations or events to 78 00:05:11.379 --> 00:05:14.560 the best of your recollection. If you recall only a 79 00:05:14.639 --> 00:05:17.459 part of a conversation or event, you should give us 80 00:05:17.480 --> 00:05:21.259 your best recollection of those events or parts of conversations 81 00:05:21.579 --> 00:05:26.730 that you recall. Do you understand? Ms. Nova, yes ma'am. Question. 82 00:05:27.089 --> 00:05:29.670 Although you're here voluntarily and you will not be sworn in, 83 00:05:30.110 --> 00:05:33.050 you are required by law pursuant to Title 18 of 84 00:05:33.069 --> 00:05:38.149 the U.S. Code Section 1001 to answer questions from Congress truthfully. 85 00:05:39.269 --> 00:05:42.779 This also applies to questions posed by congressional staff. In 86 00:05:42.800 --> 00:05:47.759 the interview, do you understand? Ms. Noel, yes ma'am. Question. 87 00:05:48.170 --> 00:05:51.990 This includes both knowingly providing false testimony, but also stating 88 00:05:52.029 --> 00:05:54.490 that you do not recall or remember something when in 89 00:05:54.529 --> 00:05:59.009 fact you do. Do you understand? Furthermore, you cannot tell 90 00:05:59.050 --> 00:06:03.540 half-truths or exclude information necessary to make your statements accurate. 91 00:06:04.310 --> 00:06:07.720 You're required to provide all information that would make your 92 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:12.529 response truthful. A deliberate failure to disclose information can constitute 93 00:06:12.569 --> 00:06:17.230 a false statement. Do you understand? Ms. Noel, yes ma'am. Question, 94 00:06:17.810 --> 00:06:20.420 is there any reason that you're unable to provide truthful 95 00:06:20.449 --> 00:06:26.040 testimony in today's interview? Noel, no ma'am. Question, please note 96 00:06:26.060 --> 00:06:28.899 that if you wish to assert privilege over any statement today, 97 00:06:29.339 --> 00:06:32.100 that assertion must comply with the rules of the Committee 98 00:06:32.500 --> 00:06:37.449 on Oversight and Government Reform. Pursuant to that, Committee Rule 99 00:06:37.509 --> 00:06:41.449 16c1 states, for the chair to consider assertions of privilege 100 00:06:41.850 --> 00:06:46.250 over testimony or statements, witnesses or entities must clearly state 101 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:49.500 the specific privilege being asserted and the reason for the 102 00:06:49.540 --> 00:06:54.079 assertion on or before the scheduled date of testimony or appearance. 103 00:06:54.519 --> 00:06:59.480 Do you understand? Ms. Noel, yes, ma'am. Question. Ordinarily, we 104 00:06:59.519 --> 00:07:01.459 take a five-minute break at the end of each hour 105 00:07:01.500 --> 00:07:03.660 of questioning and But if you need a longer break, 106 00:07:03.939 --> 00:07:06.399 or a break before that, please let us know, and 107 00:07:06.439 --> 00:07:09.430 we'll be happy to accommodate. However, to the extent that 108 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:11.970 there is a pending question, we would ask you finish 109 00:07:12.129 --> 00:07:17.110 answering the question before we take the break. Do you understand? Ms. Noel, 110 00:07:17.149 --> 00:07:20.810 yes ma'am. Question, do you have any other questions before 111 00:07:20.870 --> 00:07:24.920 we begin? Noel, no ma'am. Question, I understand you have 112 00:07:24.939 --> 00:07:28.100 an opening statement. Would you like to read that now? Noel, yes. 113 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:32.379 Good morning, my name is Tova Noel. and I'm 37 114 00:07:32.379 --> 00:07:36.180 years old. I appear here today voluntarily in response to 115 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:39.639 the request of the House Oversight Committee to answer questions 116 00:07:39.680 --> 00:07:43.589 about the circumstances and subsequent investigation of the death of Mr. 117 00:07:43.629 --> 00:07:48.310 Jeffrey Epstein in 2019. Before I begin my opening statement, 118 00:07:48.889 --> 00:07:50.490 I would like to take a moment to say that 119 00:07:50.509 --> 00:07:53.949 my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, 120 00:07:54.550 --> 00:07:57.620 and that my decision to voluntarily appear before this committee, 121 00:07:57.949 --> 00:08:01.290 in part, is influenced by my desire to to provide 122 00:08:01.329 --> 00:08:05.209 clarity for the women harmed by Mr. Epstein and his co-conspirators. 123 00:08:06.709 --> 00:08:09.500 I emigrated from Antigua to the United States when I 124 00:08:09.519 --> 00:08:13.519 was 12 years old. At 16, I graduated high school 125 00:08:13.800 --> 00:08:17.600 in Pennsylvania. When I turned 17, I attempted to enlist 126 00:08:17.639 --> 00:08:20.060 in the United States Army, but was unable to do so. 127 00:08:20.079 --> 00:08:23.550 I was a minor, and my mother refused to consent 128 00:08:23.569 --> 00:08:26.350 to my enlistment. When I turned 19 years old, I 129 00:08:26.410 --> 00:08:29.189 enlisted and served in the Army National Guard for six years, 130 00:08:29.639 --> 00:08:34.610 receiving an honorable discharge in 2014. During my military service, 131 00:08:34.649 --> 00:08:38.710 I was deployed during Operation Enduring Freedom and stationed in Kuwait. 132 00:08:39.529 --> 00:08:43.669 While serving our country, I became a U.S. citizen in 2009. 133 00:08:43.669 --> 00:08:47.200 During my final year in the Army, I finished college-level 134 00:08:47.240 --> 00:08:50.840 courses and earned an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal 135 00:08:50.899 --> 00:08:54.059 Justice in 2014. I went back to school to earn 136 00:08:54.100 --> 00:08:57.179 a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College 137 00:08:57.659 --> 00:09:02.570 in 2017. After I earned my bachelor's degree, I briefly 138 00:09:02.629 --> 00:09:06.460 worked at the United States Postal Service until the opportunity 139 00:09:06.500 --> 00:09:09.299 to work as a federal correctional officer for the Federal 140 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:12.779 Bureau of Prisons. I decided to pursue the role because 141 00:09:12.840 --> 00:09:18.850 it was in the criminal justice field. On June 24, 2018, 142 00:09:18.850 --> 00:09:21.669 I began working for the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I 143 00:09:21.710 --> 00:09:27.009 was assigned to the MCC in Manhattan. Around March 2019, 144 00:09:27.009 --> 00:09:29.779 during my first year as a federal correctional officer, I 145 00:09:29.820 --> 00:09:32.919 sustained an injury on the job. While on leave, I 146 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:36.110 missed training classes that were required to be assigned to 147 00:09:36.129 --> 00:09:40.710 the SHU. These training courses were specifically related to the 148 00:09:40.769 --> 00:09:44.570 duties and responsibilities to work in the SHU. When I 149 00:09:44.610 --> 00:09:47.610 returned to work in June 2019, I was assigned to 150 00:09:47.669 --> 00:09:50.149 work in the SHU, even though I never received the 151 00:09:50.190 --> 00:09:55.009 required specialized training. Prior to June 2019, I never worked 152 00:09:55.029 --> 00:09:57.320 in the SHU. When I was assigned to the SHU, 153 00:09:57.870 --> 00:10:00.549 I was instructed to sign a document that indicated that 154 00:10:00.590 --> 00:10:03.879 I received the SHU training. When I advised my supervisor 155 00:10:04.149 --> 00:10:06.440 that I did not receive the training, I was told 156 00:10:06.480 --> 00:10:09.440 not to worry about it. I was instructed to sign 157 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:13.320 so that the facility could pass its program review. When 158 00:10:13.340 --> 00:10:15.399 I was placed in the SHU, I was assigned to 159 00:10:15.440 --> 00:10:17.860 the 4 p.m. to midnight shift most of the time. 160 00:10:19.230 --> 00:10:22.429 Due to understaffing issues, my colleagues and I were required 161 00:10:22.470 --> 00:10:25.830 to work overtime on a regular basis. To avoid being 162 00:10:25.850 --> 00:10:29.500 mandated a work, a second consecutive shift at midnight, I 163 00:10:29.519 --> 00:10:32.600 would often volunteer to work the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 164 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:35.940 shift and then work my regular shift from 4 to midnight. 165 00:10:37.159 --> 00:10:39.840 When Mr. Epstein was lodged at the MCC on or 166 00:10:39.919 --> 00:10:43.529 about July 6, 2019, I did not know who he 167 00:10:43.570 --> 00:10:47.269 was or anything about his past. I had limited interactions 168 00:10:47.309 --> 00:10:49.860 with Mr. Epstein. because he spent most of each day 169 00:10:49.899 --> 00:10:54.179 downstairs in the attorney conference room. I wasn't aware of 170 00:10:54.220 --> 00:10:57.299 the public's interest in Mr. Epstein until shortly after the 171 00:10:57.320 --> 00:11:01.700 July 23, 2019 incident when he was placed on suicide watch. 172 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:05.740 I wasn't working the shift when the July 23 incident occurred. 173 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:10.090 On August 9, 2019, I was scheduled to work my 174 00:11:10.090 --> 00:11:13.710 4 p.m. to midnight shift. Because I had a personal 175 00:11:13.789 --> 00:11:16.429 obligation that day, I could not work the 8 a.m. 176 00:11:16.470 --> 00:11:19.759 to 4 p.m. shift. As a result, I was mandated 177 00:11:19.799 --> 00:11:24.259 to work the August 10, 2019 midnight to 8 a.m. shift. 178 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:27.379 It was also my first time that I worked in 179 00:11:27.419 --> 00:11:31.009 the SHU with Officer Michael Thomas. It was my understanding 180 00:11:31.049 --> 00:11:34.029 that Officer Thomas was working the midnight shift in addition 181 00:11:34.070 --> 00:11:37.690 to working his assigned 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. shift. 182 00:11:38.590 --> 00:11:42.000 On August 9 and 10, 2019, I acknowledged with full 183 00:11:42.009 --> 00:11:44.779 candor that I did not execute the counts and the 184 00:11:44.820 --> 00:11:47.360 rounds properly. I admit that there were tasks that I 185 00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:51.250 failed to complete which resulted in the improper execution and 186 00:11:51.309 --> 00:11:55.389 inaccurate documentation of the counts and the rounds. The failure 187 00:11:55.409 --> 00:11:59.409 to execute my duties and my responsibilities properly and the 188 00:11:59.429 --> 00:12:03.250 submission of inaccurate documentation were not related to Mr. Epstein 189 00:12:03.590 --> 00:12:07.029 or his death in any way. The inaccurate documentation were 190 00:12:07.080 --> 00:12:09.820 executed at the beginning of each shift and were not 191 00:12:09.860 --> 00:12:12.120 done to cover up my conduct or the conduct of 192 00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:15.600 my colleague. At the time, I considered what I was 193 00:12:15.639 --> 00:12:19.450 doing as the MCC way. I use the term MCC 194 00:12:19.490 --> 00:12:22.470 way because it's a phrase I heard countless times from 195 00:12:22.490 --> 00:12:25.200 multiple colleagues while learning on the job prior to being 196 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:28.419 assigned to the SHU. There's only one problem with this 197 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:31.399 opening statement. It doesn't match up with what we've heard 198 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:37.059 from the other interviews with the OIG. In other words, 199 00:12:37.120 --> 00:12:38.879 I was trained in a way that suggested that the 200 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:42.639 policy guidance and operation protocols set forth in writing by 201 00:12:42.679 --> 00:12:46.240 the Federal Bureau of Prisons may be applied differently at MCC. 202 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:50.340 My conduct regarding documentation and execution of the counts and 203 00:12:50.379 --> 00:12:54.340 rounds was based on what I observed experienced officers doing. 204 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:58.389 Because I believed that video surveillance cameras inside MCC were 205 00:12:58.409 --> 00:13:00.929 working properly, I was not attempting to get away with 206 00:13:00.970 --> 00:13:03.710 something that I believed to be a crime. It was 207 00:13:03.750 --> 00:13:05.750 a surprise to me to learn months later that the 208 00:13:05.769 --> 00:13:09.960 video surveillance system was not working properly. Again, my failure 209 00:13:09.980 --> 00:13:12.620 to complete those duties were not because of Mr. Epstein. 210 00:13:13.649 --> 00:13:17.490 My inadequate job performance was due to my inexperience, inadequate training, 211 00:13:17.870 --> 00:13:21.490 and being overworked. Due to understaffing issues, the amount of 212 00:13:21.570 --> 00:13:24.929 overtime I was required to do resulted in me earning 213 00:13:25.029 --> 00:13:27.879 my full base salary and approximately six months time on 214 00:13:27.889 --> 00:13:31.980 the job. As a result, my inadequate performance on the 215 00:13:32.019 --> 00:13:36.100 shoe on August 9th and 10th of 2019 was based 216 00:13:36.159 --> 00:13:40.120 on the dysfunctional culture at MCC, which was well documented 217 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:43.269 in multiple reports and issued by the Department of Justice 218 00:13:43.409 --> 00:13:47.470 Office of the Inspector General. The same report that didn't 219 00:13:47.529 --> 00:13:50.580 say that he tried to commit suicide three times? That report? 220 00:13:51.320 --> 00:13:55.139 Got it. My responsibility was to conduct counts and rounds, 221 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:58.980 was improperly executed because of severe understaffing, a lack of 222 00:13:59.039 --> 00:14:04.409 adequate training, inadequate communication between management and frontline correctional officers, 223 00:14:04.889 --> 00:14:09.090 and other systemic failures. The systemic failures at the MCC 224 00:14:09.409 --> 00:14:12.570 were documented by the Office of of Inspector General, and 225 00:14:12.610 --> 00:14:16.720 multiple journalists long before the death of Mr. Epstein. The 226 00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:19.779 systemic failures were communicated to the Federal Bureau of Prisons 227 00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:24.259 leadership by the Correctional Officers Union leadership long before Mr. 228 00:14:24.330 --> 00:14:27.769 Epstein's death. The only connection I have to the death 229 00:14:27.809 --> 00:14:30.210 of Mr. Epstein is that I happened to be mandated 230 00:14:30.470 --> 00:14:33.389 for overtime when he died. No, you were responsible for 231 00:14:33.429 --> 00:14:36.100 making sure that that didn't happen. And you see what 232 00:14:36.120 --> 00:14:38.909 they're doing here, right? Everybody's coming in with the same story. 233 00:14:39.190 --> 00:14:43.230 Let's blame the system so nobody is held responsible. And 234 00:14:43.250 --> 00:14:47.240 then we can all just get away with it. My 235 00:14:47.269 --> 00:14:51.360 life has drastically changed since August 10th, 2019. Since that day, 236 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:54.659 my life has been extremely difficult. This situation has been 237 00:14:54.799 --> 00:14:58.279 one of the hardest things I've experienced in my life. Well, 238 00:14:58.299 --> 00:15:02.669 if you didn't fall asleep. For over two years, my 239 00:15:02.730 --> 00:15:05.269 freedom was in jeopardy. After the case against me was 240 00:15:05.309 --> 00:15:10.000 dismissed in 2021... With the unwavering support of my family, friends, co-workers, 241 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:13.460 my attorney, Jason Foy, and God, I thought that I 242 00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:17.200 would be able to privately rebuild my life and my career. Instead, 243 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:20.059 I have been consistently the subject of threats of my life, 244 00:15:20.519 --> 00:15:25.340 conspiracy theories, and outrageous rumors impacting my mental and physical health. 245 00:15:26.250 --> 00:15:29.110 I have received threats from strangers. I have witnessed strangers 246 00:15:29.179 --> 00:15:32.009 pontificate about whether I'm a murderer or that I'll end 247 00:15:32.070 --> 00:15:35.250 up dead. I am consistently harassed at my residence, place 248 00:15:35.269 --> 00:15:39.299 of employment, in emails, and on the phone. Every few weeks, 249 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:42.039 there's a new article based on a new theory with 250 00:15:42.110 --> 00:15:45.929 little to no factual basis. When Congress passed the Epstein 251 00:15:45.950 --> 00:15:50.409 Files Transparency Act, my personal identification information was released to 252 00:15:50.429 --> 00:15:53.590 the public without proper redaction of my date of birth 253 00:15:54.049 --> 00:15:58.169 and other personal information. Sorry, you're a government official. You 254 00:15:58.190 --> 00:16:01.230 were being paid by the American taxpayer. How can we 255 00:16:01.269 --> 00:16:04.509 hold anyone accountable if your name is redacted? And now, 256 00:16:05.169 --> 00:16:07.860 I've been asked to come before you to speak for 257 00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:10.659 the first time publicly and answer your questions related to 258 00:16:10.679 --> 00:16:14.360 the investigation and death of Mr. Epstein. My goal today 259 00:16:14.440 --> 00:16:17.720 is to be honestly, my goal today is to honestly 260 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:20.700 answer the committee's questions to the best of my recollection 261 00:16:21.340 --> 00:16:24.340 and finally put this behind me permanently. I would like 262 00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:26.299 to ask the world to allow me to heal and 263 00:16:26.320 --> 00:16:28.799 move on with my life. I'm not a criminal. I 264 00:16:28.820 --> 00:16:32.480 didn't conspire to cause Mr. Epstein's death. It's my desire 265 00:16:32.500 --> 00:16:36.039 to be left alone after all of today's interview. Thank you. 266 00:16:36.070 --> 00:16:38.490 All right, folks, we're going to wrap up right here. 267 00:16:38.509 --> 00:16:40.970 And in the next episode, we're going to pick up 268 00:16:41.110 --> 00:16:43.889 where we left off. All the information that goes with 269 00:16:43.929 --> 00:16:47.889 this episode can be found in the description box. What's up, everyone? 270 00:16:47.970 --> 00:16:52.019 And welcome to another episode of the Epstein Chronicles. In 271 00:16:52.039 --> 00:16:54.080 this episode, we're going to dive right back in to 272 00:16:54.100 --> 00:16:59.419 the Tova Noel transcript from her meeting with Congress. Question. 273 00:16:59.480 --> 00:17:01.820 Thank you. I see we have another member of Congress. 274 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:07.200 Would he please identify himself for the record? Mr. Submarinian, Representative, 275 00:17:07.589 --> 00:17:13.049 Suhas Submarinium, Virginia's 10th District. Question, thank you. All right, 276 00:17:13.069 --> 00:17:18.569 my time reads 10.18, and the majority's time will begin now. Question, Ms. Noel, 277 00:17:18.829 --> 00:17:22.089 thank you again for appearing here voluntarily today. I'd like 278 00:17:22.109 --> 00:17:25.309 to start this interview by discussing more about your background. 279 00:17:25.910 --> 00:17:28.230 I know you mentioned it in your opening statement, but 280 00:17:28.309 --> 00:17:33.220 where are you from originally? Answer, Antigua. Question, Antigua, and 281 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:37.099 when did you first move? to New York. Answer, I 282 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:39.359 first moved to New York about, I first moved to 283 00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:42.990 New York, I want to say about 2011. Question, what 284 00:17:43.009 --> 00:17:45.809 made you decide to move there? Answer, when I came 285 00:17:45.849 --> 00:17:48.990 to this country, I first lived in Pennsylvania. And after 286 00:17:49.029 --> 00:17:51.710 I graduated high school, I moved to New York because 287 00:17:51.750 --> 00:17:55.250 I like New York better than Pennsylvania. Question, I know 288 00:17:55.269 --> 00:17:57.430 you just did so, but can you briefly again, for 289 00:17:57.450 --> 00:18:01.779 the record, walk us through your professional career? Answer, I 290 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:04.700 graduated high school at 16, went on to the military. 291 00:18:04.980 --> 00:18:07.529 When I turned 19, I gained an associate's degree in 292 00:18:07.569 --> 00:18:11.049 criminal justice. I went on to gaining a bachelor's degree, 293 00:18:11.470 --> 00:18:14.450 also in criminal justice, and a minor in law. I 294 00:18:14.490 --> 00:18:17.910 completed six years in military, one tour in Kuwait. I 295 00:18:17.950 --> 00:18:20.869 worked for the United States Postal Service, and then, later on, 296 00:18:21.289 --> 00:18:23.349 went on to work for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, 297 00:18:23.769 --> 00:18:27.359 along with other employment. Question, when did you begin working 298 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:32.299 at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York? Answer, June 2018. Question, 299 00:18:32.630 --> 00:18:35.799 you mentioned your job right before that was working for 300 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:39.940 the U.S. Postal Service. Answer, correct. Question, okay, what years 301 00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:44.900 did you work at MCC? Answer, 2018, June 2018 to 302 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:49.180 August 10th, 2019. Question, how was it that you ended 303 00:18:49.240 --> 00:18:52.319 up working at MCC? Answer, while working at the United 304 00:18:52.359 --> 00:18:55.400 States Postal Service, I received a call from the MCC 305 00:18:55.740 --> 00:18:59.210 to gain employment there and I accepted. Question, so someone 306 00:18:59.230 --> 00:19:03.200 reached out to you Answer, correct. Question, okay, and why 307 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:06.400 did you make that decision to start working there? Answer, 308 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:08.960 because I had the background in criminal justice and I 309 00:19:09.000 --> 00:19:12.269 wanted to pursue my degree field. Question, what was your 310 00:19:12.329 --> 00:19:17.529 first role or position at MCC? Answer, correctional officer. Question, 311 00:19:17.789 --> 00:19:20.269 were you ever assigned to more than one role while 312 00:19:20.309 --> 00:19:24.269 at MCC? Answer, no ma'am. Question, can you describe what 313 00:19:24.289 --> 00:19:28.160 your responsibilities were in that role? Answer, no. My role 314 00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:31.039 as a correctional officer was to oversee inmates, to make 315 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:34.000 sure that they're performing their daily tasks and the functions, 316 00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:37.559 and to make sure that they're accounted for. Question, and 317 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:42.269 at what point were you assigned to the special housing unit? Answer, 318 00:19:42.609 --> 00:19:45.170 I was assigned to the special housing unit in June 319 00:19:45.190 --> 00:19:48.849 of 2019. Question, and for the purposes of the record, 320 00:19:49.230 --> 00:19:51.390 I'm going to be referring... to the special housing unit 321 00:19:51.740 --> 00:19:55.759 as the SHU, spelled S-H-U. Who first told you that 322 00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:58.200 you were going to be assigned to the SHU? Answer, 323 00:19:58.519 --> 00:20:00.759 I don't recall exactly who told me that I was 324 00:20:00.799 --> 00:20:03.579 going to be assigned to the SHU. Question, okay, were 325 00:20:03.599 --> 00:20:05.599 you ever told that why you were being moved to 326 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:09.460 the SHU? Answer, so based on seniority. You get to 327 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:11.700 bid for your post. And the only post that was 328 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:15.259 left was the shoe. Question, how did you feel about 329 00:20:15.299 --> 00:20:17.799 being moved to the shoe at the time? Answer, I 330 00:20:17.839 --> 00:20:19.859 didn't want to go to the shoe because I wasn't 331 00:20:19.900 --> 00:20:23.920 familiar with working the shoe. When I shadowed, I shadowed 332 00:20:23.980 --> 00:20:28.430 on regular housing units, not the shoe. Question, okay. Miss 333 00:20:28.910 --> 00:20:31.349 Fiera Bend, we have a new staff member that's entered 334 00:20:31.369 --> 00:20:35.849 the room. Will he please identify himself? Robert Edmondson, Staff Director, 335 00:20:36.089 --> 00:20:40.890 Ranking Member, Garcia. Question. Was working in the SHU considered 336 00:20:40.930 --> 00:20:45.480 a promotion to the rest of the staff at MCC? Answer. No. Question. 337 00:20:45.559 --> 00:20:49.700 Why not? Answer. Because it was a housing unit. Question. Okay. 338 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:52.740 So there was a difference between a correctional officer working 339 00:20:52.759 --> 00:20:57.619 the SHU or any other area at the MCC? Answer. Correct. Question. Okay. 340 00:20:58.140 --> 00:21:01.089 What was your salary while working in the SHU? Answer. 341 00:21:01.390 --> 00:21:04.910 I don't recall exactly. Question. Okay. You worked at MCC 342 00:21:04.930 --> 00:21:08.930 for over a year? Answer. Yes. Question. No. Was that 343 00:21:08.950 --> 00:21:11.670 your only job during that entire time, or did you 344 00:21:11.710 --> 00:21:16.809 have any additional sources of income outside of your salary? Question, 345 00:21:17.130 --> 00:21:20.759 additional sources of income was VA benefits. Question, were you 346 00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:25.660 receiving those the entire time? Answer, yes. Mr. Emmer, question, 347 00:21:25.980 --> 00:21:28.519 in your opening you referenced, was it a workplace injury? 348 00:21:29.299 --> 00:21:32.839 When did that occur? Answer, March. Question, March of 2018. Answer, no, 349 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:38.779 March of 2019. Question, excuse me, thank you. And then 350 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:44.049 when did you return? Back to work. Answer, June of 2019. Question, 351 00:21:44.089 --> 00:21:49.930 thank you. Miss Fireabend? Question, so we're going to discuss Mr. 352 00:21:50.009 --> 00:21:52.990 Epstein's death and that night more specifically in a little bit, 353 00:21:53.390 --> 00:21:55.000 but I'd like to first get a better sense of 354 00:21:55.039 --> 00:22:00.259 the structure and the staffing roles at MCC. Answer, okay. Question, 355 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:03.579 so you never mentioned that you were first assigned in 356 00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:06.750 June 2019 to the SHU. Can you describe how the 357 00:22:06.789 --> 00:22:11.829 SHU specifically differs from other units at MCC? Answer, so 358 00:22:11.869 --> 00:22:14.309 for a regular housing unit, the inmates are let out 359 00:22:14.650 --> 00:22:17.309 and they can move around, whereas in the SHU, you're 360 00:22:17.329 --> 00:22:20.029 locked in for 23 hours and you're only out for 361 00:22:20.130 --> 00:22:23.099 one hour, and it's a more secure area. The only 362 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:27.339 inmates that out would be like the orderlies. Question, what 363 00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:30.420 are those? Answer, the orderlies are inmates that are considered 364 00:22:30.740 --> 00:22:33.740 to have privileges. They're allowed to, like, come out, to clean, 365 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:37.369 or the law library. Question, okay. I know you touched 366 00:22:37.569 --> 00:22:39.809 on this in your opening statement, but was there any 367 00:22:39.869 --> 00:22:42.250 special training that you had to undergo in order to 368 00:22:42.289 --> 00:22:45.890 be assigned to the SHU? Answer, yeah. Question, and did 369 00:22:45.910 --> 00:22:49.900 you complete the special training that was required? Answer, no. Question, 370 00:22:49.920 --> 00:22:53.819 why not? Answer, because I was out with an injury. Question, 371 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:56.740 you mentioned, going back one question, that there were orderlies 372 00:22:56.779 --> 00:23:02.769 in the SHU. Was Mr. Epstein considered an orderly? Answer, no. Question, 373 00:23:02.849 --> 00:23:05.970 why not? Answer, I don't make the decision on who 374 00:23:06.009 --> 00:23:08.769 becomes an orderly. I don't know. Question, okay, do you 375 00:23:08.809 --> 00:23:12.720 know how it was decided? Answer, of who becomes an orderly? No, 376 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:16.500 I don't. Question, okay, back to the special training. Were 377 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:19.380 you ever directed by supervisors to say that you have 378 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:22.099 completed the training when you had not? Can you provide 379 00:23:22.119 --> 00:23:25.289 more details about what happened there? Answer, when I came 380 00:23:25.329 --> 00:23:27.329 back from the injury, I was told to report to 381 00:23:27.369 --> 00:23:30.589 the supervisor. When I went to her, she asked me 382 00:23:30.630 --> 00:23:32.650 to sign the training log to say that I completed 383 00:23:32.710 --> 00:23:35.849 the SHU training because that was my assigned post at 384 00:23:35.869 --> 00:23:38.509 the time. So I informed her that I did not 385 00:23:38.549 --> 00:23:41.190 complete the training. She told me not to worry about it, 386 00:23:41.490 --> 00:23:45.609 just to sign it because they need to pass program review. Question, 387 00:23:45.869 --> 00:23:48.910 do you know if there were other correctional officers that 388 00:23:48.930 --> 00:23:52.890 she told the same thing to? Answer, I don't know. Mr. Foy, 389 00:23:53.150 --> 00:23:55.720 may I have a word real quick? They go off record. 390 00:23:56.059 --> 00:23:58.890 They go back on. Noelle, oh. And when she asked 391 00:23:58.910 --> 00:24:02.319 me to sign, she also asked me not to date it. Question, 392 00:24:02.359 --> 00:24:05.640 why was that? Answer, I guess because the date where 393 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:07.839 I was signing would have, would have conflicted with the 394 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:11.240 time that the training actually took place. Question, and who 395 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:15.180 was the supervisor? What was the supervisor's name? Ms. Noel, 396 00:24:15.519 --> 00:24:18.819 Kimberly Shivers. Question, do you have any idea whether that 397 00:24:18.859 --> 00:24:22.980 was an ordinary practice by supervisors for the shoe? Answer, 398 00:24:23.019 --> 00:24:26.740 I don't know. Question, understanding that you did not complete 399 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:32.240 the training. Did you know what the training entailed? Answer, no. Question, okay. 400 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:36.319 Did you ever hear anybody talk about the training? Answer, no. Question, 401 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:39.779