The US Attorney General Pam Bondi has explained what happened during that 'lost minute' in the 11-hour prison CCTV of deceased financier and child sex offender Jeffery Epstein.
As the leaked memo into Epstein's death and activities has been fuelling conspiracy theories online, US President Donald Trump attempted to shut down a reporter's question to Bondi during a Cabinet meeting yesterday (July 8).
"Are you still talking about Jeffrey Epstein? This guy's been talked about for years," Trump said.
"I can't believe you're asking a question on Epstein at a time like this, where we're having some of the greatest success and also tragedy with what happened in Texas it just seems like a desecration," he continued.
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Released by the FBI and Department of Justice (DOJ), the 11-hour CCTV from inside the prison confirmed Epstein's death was suicide and that he didn't keep a 'client list' of associates whom he blackmailed or conspired with to victimise dozens of women.
However, speculation has reached an all-time high when someone spotted a missing minute in the footage, and also pointed out that the no-client list claim contradicted what Trump officials, including Bondi, had previously said.
After Trump's interjection, Bondi explained that the supposedly 'lost minute' in the prison CCTV was due to the correctional facility's outdated system. The missing minute happens at 11.59pm, with the time switching from 11.58.59pm to midnight.
"There was a minute that was off the counter, and what we learned from the Bureau of Prisons is every night they redo that video… every night should have the same minute missing," Bondi said (via ABC News).
Bondi, who previously claimed Epstein's so-called 'client list' was 'on her desk' in an interview with Fox News, addressed the comment during the meeting.
"I did an interview on Fox, and it’s been getting a lot of attention because I said I was asked a question about the client list, and my response was, it’s sitting on my desk to be reviewed," she said.
"Meaning the file, along with the JFK, MLK files as well. That’s what I meant by that."
The FBI released the 11-hours of footage from inside the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York City on August 9 and 10 in 2019 - the night where Epstein died by suicide - in an attempt to stop speculation of foul play surrounding his death.
While the CCTV footage doesn't show Epstein's cell door, it would capture anyone walking to it, the DOJ said.
At approximately 10.39pm, a guard appeared to walk in the direction of Epstein's cell and then reappeared within view of the camera at 10.41pm.
This is believed to be the last time anyone entered the area of Epstein's cell before the next morning, when guards delivered breakfast just before 6.30am.
At approximately 6.33am, more guards enter the common area and walk towards the area where Epstein's cell was located, presumably after he was found dead in his cell. He was pronounced dead six minutes later.
Topics: Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump, US News, Crime
Stefania Sarrubba