EFTA00072474.pdf

Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 78 Filed 12/01/20 Page 1 of 2 U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of New York The Silvio J. Malin Building One Saint Andrew's Plaza New York. New York 10007 December 1, 2020 BY ECF The Honorable Alison J. Nathan United States District Court Southern District of New York United States Courthouse 40 Foley Square New York, New York 10007 Re: United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN) Dear Judge Nathan: The parties jointly submit this letter in response to the Court's November 24, 2020 order directing the parties to meet and confer regarding the defendant's request that the warden of the Metropolitan Detention Center ("MDC") report directly to the Court and counsel on the defendant's conditions of detention. (Dkt. No. 76). Over the past week, the Government has spoken with MDC legal counsel regarding the defendant's conditions of confinement and has tried to gather additional information regarding the concerns raised by the defendant, which the Government has shared with defense counsel. The Government has also conferred with defense counsel three times regarding the same, as well as the defense's request relating to MDC Warden Heriberto Tellez. The parties have been unable to reach agreement. Our respective positions follow. The Government respectfully submits that the Court should allow MDC legal counsel to respond directly in writing to the Court and defense counsel regarding the concerns defense counsel has raised relating to the defendant's conditions of confinement. The Government understands that MDC legal counsel is prepared to submit a letter by this Friday, December 4, 2020. Such a letter is the appropriate next step at this time, as it will allow the Court to hear directly from MDC legal counsel who can address the defendant's conditions of confinement. The letter will allow the Court to ascertain whether further inquiry, including a personal appearance by the Warden or other MDC personnel, is necessary. Moreover, the Government does not understand the concerns raised by the defense to implicate the defendant's access to legal materials or her ability to communicate with her counsel. As noted in the Government's letter dated November 23, 2020, the defendant continues to have more time to review her discovery than any other inmate at the MDC. The defendant also has as much, if not more, time as any other MDC inmate to communicate with her attorneys. (Dkt. No. 74). The defense disagrees. As communicated to the Government, the defense's position is as follows: Warden Heriberto Tellez should appear before the Court to directly address concerns regarding Ms. Maxwell's conditions of confinement, which specifically target her. On October 29, 2020, the defense emailed a letter to Warden Tellez detailing the onerous and restrictive conditions, including but not limited to concerns regarding the supplemental camera; excessive EFTA00072474 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 78 Filed 12/01/20 Page 2 of 2 Page 2 searching (e.g., weekly body scan, 15-minute interval flashlight checks at night, and open-mouth inspection) despite being surveilled 24/7 by a dedicated three-guard security detail and two cameras; and the reason she is not being moved to the day room, which we understood was the original plan (and would reduce searching). Receipt of the letter was acknowledged, but to date there has been no response and little, if any, redress to the most serious conditions. Upon information and belief, decisions concerning Ms. Maxwell's specialized detention are made by Warden Tellez, or from others outside the MDC. A report from the MDC Legal Department would provide second-hand information. Accordingly, Warden Tellez should be directed to provide a first-hand accounting to the Court and counsel why Ms. Maxwell is being detained under such individualized conditions. Your consideration is greatly appreciated. Respectfully submitted, AUDREY STRAUSS Acting United States Attorney By: 5/ Assistant United States Attorneys Southern District of New York Tel: Cc: All Counsel of Record (By ECF) EFTA00072475 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 88 Filed 12/07/20 Page 1 of 2 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Federal Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Detention Center 80 291i Street Brooklyn. New York 11232 December 4, 2020 The Honorable Alison J. Nathan United States District Court Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square New York, NY 10007 Re: United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN) Ghislaine Maxwell, Reg. No. alma9 Dear Judge Nathan: USDC SDNY DOCUMENT ELECTRONICALLY FILED DOC 0: DATE FILED: 12/7/20 This letter is written in response to your order dated December 2, 2020, concerning Ghislaine Maxwell, Reg. 02879-509., an inmate currently confined at the Metropolitan Detention center in Brooklyn, New York. You expressed various concerns regarding Ms. Maxwell's confinement and well-being. The Bureau of Prisons' (BOP) policies and procedures are designed to ensure staff and inmates can work and live in a safe and secure environment. In determining Ms. Maxwell's current housing assignment, MDC Brooklyn considered various factors including Ms. Maxwell's expressed concern for her safety and well-being amongst the general inmate population. We have discussed our decision with Ms. Maxwell several times and provided her with guidance as to how to address any concerns through her Unit Team or the BOP's Administrative Remedy Program, 28 C.F.R. SS 542.10 — 542.19. To date, staff have addressed her complaints in accordance with BOP policies. In her current assignment, Ms. Maxwell, like other inmates housed at MDC Brooklyn, is allowed access to the common area of the housing unit from 7:00 AM through 8:00 PM, daily. She has access to recreational space, social calls, television, shower, legal telephone calls, email, computers, and discovery material. A discovery laptop is available to her from 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM. When Ms. Maxwell returns to her cell at 8:00 PM, like other inmates she has access to drinking water, snacks she purchased through the commissary, and discovery material. Since August 3, 2020, Ms. Maxwell has been able to purchase items from the full commissary list. She receives commissary every second week like all other inmates. MDC Brooklyn correctional staff utilize flashlights when viewing inmate cells overnight to ensure EFTA00072476 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 88 Filed 12/07/20 Page 2 of 2 inmates are breathing and not in distress. Inmates in BOP custody are subject to searches, including body scanners, and inmates may be searched prior to moving from one area of the facility to another. The removal of Ms. Maxwell's face mask complies with the BOP's COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan. Since Ms. Maxwell's arrival, she has been provided three (3) meals a day in accordance with BOP policy and its National Menu. Food Service staff have addressed Ms. Maxwell's requests. Ms. Maxwell is served her breakfast upon entering the common area of the housing unit at 7:00 AM; at noon she is served her lunch; and at 5:00 PM she is served dinner. Her medical records show that she currently weighs 134 lbs., which fluctuates plus or minus 2 lbs. Health Services staff make regular rounds of her housing unit and she has been instructed on how to request medical care through the sick call procedures. Furthermore, while there has been a number of inmates whom have tested positive for COVID-19, Ms. Maxwell remains in good health and is not in contact with those individuals. The BOP staff is assigned to Ms. Maxwell's unit do not come in contact with the other individuals whom have tested positive. Lastly, the temperature of Ms. Maxwell's cell is checked three times daily to ensure it is in compliance with national standards. In accordance with the BOP's COVID-19 Pandemic Response Plan, inmates are allotted 500 minutes per month of social telephone calls, which Ms. Maxwell has used throughout her time at MDC Brooklyn. While Ms. Maxwell has received one legal video conference, she continues to have full access to legal telephone calls and in person legal visits. Pursuant to the District Courts guidance, legal telephone calls are scheduled through the Federal Defenders, who should be afforded an opportunity to address any concerns Ms. Maxwell's attorneys have with the legal calls. I trust this has addressed your concerns. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Staff Attorney MDC Brooklyn Federal Bureau of Prisons /s/ Statt Attorney MDC Brooklyn Federal Bureau of Prisons EFTA00072477 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 92 Filed 12/08/20 Page 1 of 2 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK United States of America, —v— Ghislaine Maxwell, Defendant. L'SDC SDNY DOCUMENT ELECTRONICALLY FILED DOC 0: DATE FILED: 12/8/20 20-CR-330 (MN) ORDER ALISON J. NATHAN, District Judge: On December 4, 2020, the Court received a letter from MDC legal counsel responding to the concerns that the Defendant raised in her November 24, 2020 letter. See Dkt. Nos. 75, 88; see also Dkt. No. 78. The Defendant responded to the MDC legal counsel's letter on December 7, 2020, reiterating her request that the Court summon Warden Heriberto Tellez to personally respond to questions from the Court regarding the Defendant's conditions of confinement. See Dkt. No. 91. Having carefully reviewed the parties' submissions, along with the MDC legal counsel's December 4, 2020 letter, the Court DENIES the Defendant's request to summon the Warden to personally appear and respond to questions. This resolves Dkt. No. 75. Notwithstanding this, as originally provided in Dkt. No. 49, the Government shall continue to submit written status updates detailing any material changes to the conditions of Ms. Maxwell's confinement, with particular emphasis on her access to legal materials, including legal mail and email, and her ability to communicate with defense counsel. The updates shall also include information on the frequency of searches of the Defendant. The Court hereby ORDERS the Government to submit these written updates every 60 days. Furthermore, the Government shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the Defendant EFTA00072478 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 92 Filed 12/08/20 Page 2 of 2 continues to receive adequate access to her legal materials and her ability to communicate with defense counsel. SO ORDERED. st i g. Dated: December 8, 2020 New York, New York ALISON J. NATHAN United States District Judge 2 EFTA00072479 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 116 Filed 01/15/21 Page 1 of 2 COHEN & GRESSER LLP sop Thud Avenue Nen York. NY 10022 Christian R. Everdell +1 (21.2) 957-76(10 ccvcracligcolungresscr.com BY ECF The Honorable Alison J. Nathan United States District Court Southern District of New York United States Courthouse 40 Foley Square New York, NY 10007 USDC SDNY DOCUMENT ELECTRONICALLY FILED DOC 0: DATE FILED: I/15/2 January 14, 2021 Re: United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN) Dear Judge Nathan: We write on behalf of our client, Ghislaine Maxwell, to respectfully request that the Court order the Bureau of Prisons to give Ms. Maxwell access to the laptop computer provided by the government so that she can review discovery on weekends and holidays. At the request of defense counsel, the government provided Ms. Maxwell with a laptop computer to review the voluminous discovery, which was produced on a series of external hard drives. Currently, Ms. Maxwell is given access to the laptop only on weekdays. On weekends and holidays, Ms. Maxwell must use the prison computer on her floor to review discovery. However, the prison computer is not equipped with the software necessary to read large portions of the discovery recently produced by the government. As a result, Ms. Maxwell loses several days of review time every weekend and every holiday because she does not have access to the laptop. If Ms. Maxwell is to have any hope of reviewing the millions of documents produced in discovery so that she can properly prepare her defense by the July 12, 2021 trial date, she must have access to the laptop every day, including weekends and holidays. Defense counsel has raised this issue with the government and it has no objection to Ms. Maxwell having access to the laptop seven days a week. At the request of defense counsel, the government has contacted officials at the MDC on several occasions in the past few weeks to request that they lift this restriction, but without success. There is no principled justification for this restriction. Ms. Maxwell was given access to the laptop every day (including weekends and the Thanksgiving holiday) for the entire 14-day period that she was quarantined in her isolation cell in November-December 2020 because she had come into close contact with a member of the MDC staff who had tested positive for COVID. In addition, the laptop is kept in a locker in the same room where the prison computer is located, so it EFTA00072480 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 116 Filed 01/16/21 Page 2 of 2 The Honorable Alison J. Nathan January 14, 2021 Page 2 would not require any change in Ms. Maxwell's movements to give her the requested access. Furthermore, on at least three occasions since she was released from quarantine, Ms. Maxwell's security team gave her the laptop to review discovery on the weekend. There is clearly no actual impediment preventing the MDC staff from providing Ms. Maxwell access to the laptop on weekends and holidays. Given the millions of documents that Ms. Maxwell must review before trial in order to prepare her defense, it is critical that she be given as much time as possible with the laptop to review the discovery. We therefore respectfully request that the Court order the BOP to give Ms. Maxwell access to the laptop on weekends and holidays during the hours that she is permitted to review discovery. Sincerely, /s/ Christian Everdell Christian R. Everdell COHEN & GRESSER LLP 800 Third Avenue, 21st Floor IMO York 10022 cc: All Counsel of Record (By ECF) 1 15'21 ALISON J. NATHAN United States District Judge The unobjected-to request is GRANTED. The Bureau of Prisons is ORDERED to give the Defendant access to the laptop computer on weekends and holidays during the hours that she is permitted to review discovery. SO ORDERED. EFTA00072481 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 129 Filed 02/01/21 Page 1 of 2 U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney Southern District of New York The Silvio J. Mollo Building One Saint Andrew's Plaza New York, New York 10007 February 1, 2021 BY ECF The Honorable Alison J. Nathan United States District Court Southern District of New York United States Courthouse 40 Foley Square New York, New York 10007 Re: United States v. Ghislaine Maxwell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN) Dear Judge Nathan: The Government respectfully submits this letter in response to the Court's January 25, 2021 order allowing the parties to respond to a letter from legal counsel at the Metropolitan Detention Center ("MDC") also dated January 25, 2021. (Dkt. No. 117). In particular, MDC legal counsel asks the Court to vacate its January 15, 2021 order directing the MDC to permit the defendant to use a laptop to review discovery on weekends and holidays. While the Government has no objection to the defendant's request for additional laptop access, the Government also generally defers to the MDC regarding how it manages its inmate population. The Government will continue to defer to the MDC here, particularly because the defendant has had ample access to discovery even without laptop access on weekends and holidays. Given the volume of discovery in this case, which totals more than two million pages, the Government and the MDC have both made significant efforts to ensure that the defendant has extensive access to her discovery materials. Since the Government made its first discovery production in August 2020, the defendant has had exclusive access to a BOP desktop computer in the MDC on which to review her discovery. When the defendant complained of technical issues reviewing portions of her discovery on that desktop computer, the Government produced reformatted copies of discovery materials and instructions regarding how to open particular files. Because the defendant continued to complain that she was unable to review certain discovery files on the desktop computer, the Government agreed to provide a laptop for the defendant to use in her review of discovery. On November 18, 2020, the Government hand delivered the laptop to the MDC for the defendant's exclusive use. As the Court is aware, the defendant has received, and continues to receive more time to review her discovery than any other inmate at the MDC. In particular, the MDC permits the defendant to review discovery thirteen hours per day, seven days per week. On weekdays, the MDC permits the defendant to use the laptop during her thirteen hours of daily review time. On weekends and holidays, the MDC would ordinarily only allow the defendant to use the BOP desktop computer, which provides access to much of the discovery material. While, as noted above, the Government has no particular objection to the defendant's request for weekend access EFTA00072482 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 129 Filed 02/01/21 Page 2 of 2 Page 2 to the laptop, the Government generally defers to the judgment of the MDC in managing inmates at its facility, and sees no reason to depart from that practice here. In this respect, the Government notes that the trial date remains approximately six months away, the BOP was already affording the defendant access to the laptop for some 65 hours a week, and the BOP was further providing weekend access to a desktop computer should the defendant wish to spend more than 65 hours each week reviewing discovery. Respectfully submitted, AUDREY STRAUSS United States Attorney By s/ Assistant United States Attorneys Southern District of New York Tel: Cc: All Counsel of Record (By ECF) EFTA00072483 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 12/ Filed 02/02/21 Page 2 of 2 January 25, 2021 BY ECF The Honorable Alison). Nathan United States District Court Southern District of New York 40 Foley Square New York, NY 10007 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Federal Bureau of Prisons Metropolitan Detention Centel 80 291: Street Brooklyn. New York 11232 AIJ ALISON J. NATHAN United States District Judge Rc: United States v. Ghislaine Marvell, 20 Cr. 330 (AJN) Ghislaine Maxwell, Reg. No.02879.509 Dear Judge Nathan: USDC SONY DOCUMENT ELECTRONICALLY FILED DOC 0: DATE FILED: 2/2/21 Having considered the request submitted by the Bureau of Prisons ("BOP") that the Court vacate its January 15, 2021 Order, Dkt. No. 117, as well as the Government's and the Defendant's responses, Dkt. Nos. 129, 130, the Court hereby DENIES the BOP's request to vacate the Order. SO ORDERED. This letter is written in response to Order granted on January 15, 2021, concerning Ghislaine Maxwell, Reg. 02879-509., an inmate currently confined at the Metropolitan Detention Center ("MDC") in Brooklyn, New York. The MDC Brooklyn respectfully requests that Your Honor vacate the Order given MDC Brooklyn was not given the opportunity to object to defense counsel's claims, although the objection had been reiterated to the U.S. Attorney's Office numerous times. Defense counsel expressed various concerns regarding Ms. Maxwell's confinement limiting her access to discovery. However, Ms. Maxwell has received a significant amount of time to review her discovery. On November 18, 2020, the Government provided the MDC Brooklyn with a laptop for Ms. Maxwell to use to review discovery. Ms. Maxwell has been and will continue to be permitted to use that laptop to review her discovery for thirteen (13) hours per day, five (5) days per week. In addition to the Government laptop, she has access to the MDC Brooklyn discovery computers. Although defense counsel has indicated that the MDC Brooklyn discovery computers are not equipped to read all of her electronic discovery, the computers are capable of reviewing most of the electronic discovery. Despite defense counsel's claim that Ms. Maxwell's lacks sufficient time to fully review her discovery, her consistent use of Government laptop and MDC Brooklyn's discovery computers undercuts this claim. Moreover, Ms. Maxwell continues to have contact with her legal counsel five (5) days per week, three (3) hours per day via video-teleconference and via telephone; this is far more time than any other MDC inmate is allotted to communicate with their attorneys. EFTA00072484 Case 1:20-cr-00330-AJN Document 13T Filed 02/03/21 Page 2 of 2 We respectfully request that Your Honor vacate the order of January 15, 2021, and allow the institution to resume the prior schedule of laptop access, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM — 8:00 PM. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Staff Attorney MDC Brooklyn Federal Bureau of Prisons EFTA00072485