HOUSE OVERSIGHT 012180 IURKLAND &ELLIS LLP role. They said they would only advise on an abuse of discretion standard. Making the outcome a foregone conclusion. Furthermore, in response to the February 25 e-mail, which attempted to establish a schedule to limit the entire review process (the defense has repeatedly suggested that the misconduct was intertwined with the investigation and would therefore seek higher review), Mr. Lefkowitz e-mailed Mr. Acosta directly. On February 29, 2008, Mr. Sloman responded to Mr. Lefkowitz's e-mail to Mr. Acosta, stating that Mr. Sloman was acting out of frustration, but "[p]lease be assured that it has not, and never has been, this Office's intent to interfere or restrict the "review process" for either Mr. Epstein or CEOS. I leave it to you and CEOS to figure out how best to proceed and will await the results of that process." As stated above, CEOS determined that it would not review many of the defense's objections and as to the remainder of those objections, its review would be limited (contrary to Mr. Acosta's assurances), which left the need, supplemented by the defense's subsequent request, for a more thorough review of critical issues by others at the Department of Justice. Mr. Sloman's re-imposition of the (albeit modestly extended) timetable was an obvious attempt, in violation of his February 29 agreement, to thwart the request made by the defense to the Deputy Attorney general, to complete the review process that Mr. Acosta had promised. 11. "DELAY." Mr. Sloman's Letter: • In a section entitled "Delay," Mr. Sloman states that "the SDFL again agreed to accommodate Epstein's request to appear in state court for plea and sentencing on January 4, 2008." Id.,p. 3. The Truth: • Curiously, Mr. Sloman fails to mention correspondence from the U.S. Attorney stating that delay of that date would be "inevitable" as the defense has raised "serious questions" about the propriety of the prosecution. Striking