Tova Noel, a former prison guard at the facility where Jeffrey Epstein was found deceased, will testify in a closed-door session before the House Oversight Committee. Noel, alongside another guard, was on duty the night Epstein died in his cell in August 2019. She previously informed federal investigators that she was likely the last person to see Epstein alive. The New York City medical examiner declared his death a suicide, though this has not silenced conspiracy theories and speculation, as reports surfaced about lapses by prison staff and issues with security footage near Epstein’s cell.
Committee’s Investigation into Epstein’s Case
The committee continues to investigate the federal handling of cases involving Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. Documents and communications released by the Department of Justice have mentioned numerous influential figures from politics, finance, and entertainment. Although inclusion in these records does not imply guilt, there have been resignations and demands for accountability.
Notable testimonies to the committee include those from former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Howard Lutnick, billionaire Les Wexner, and Ted Waitt.
Background on Tova Noel
Noel is a former correctional officer at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York. Before her time at the prison, she served as a patient administrative specialist in the U.S. Army, receiving an honorable discharge in 2014. She earned a bachelor’s degree from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 2017, subsequently joining the federal Bureau of Prisons in 2018.
Reasons for Noel’s Testimony
The committee seeks Noel’s testimony due to the charges she faced in 2019, related to falsely certifying inmate counts during Epstein’s final hours. She has already testified for the Department of Justice Inspector General’s office, claiming she was among the last to see Epstein alive and was present when his body was discovered. During her deposition, she detailed the checks completed during her shift and mentioned routine activities like distributing toilet paper and meals.
Noel and fellow officer Michael Thomas were accused of neglecting prisoner checks, instead sleeping and surfing the web before Epstein’s body was found. Following a plea deal, they were assigned community service and agreed to cooperate with ongoing investigations. Noel denied falling asleep and acknowledged using the internet, unsure if it was permissible.
Noel’s Interaction with Epstein
Noel revealed to investigators a single interaction with Epstein earlier on August 9, when she directed him to wait before leaving a shower cell after a phone call. She considered this as a standard procedure. Additionally, during a 10 p.m. count, Epstein requested Noel connect his CPAP machine, which she did despite the long cords being normally prohibited.
Noel stated she was unaware of any orders to give Epstein, a high-profile detainee, special attention.