The Epstein Chronicles

Episode: "Nicholas Tartaglione And His Jailhouse Interview"

Host: Bobby Capucci
Date: April 6, 2026

Overview

In this episode, host Bobby Capucci delves into the controversial jailhouse interview and allegations involving Nicholas Tartaglione, former Westchester cop and convicted quadruple murderer, who was cellmates with Jeffrey Epstein prior to Epstein’s death. The episode scrutinizes recent claims made by Tartaglioni in a call with journalist Jessica Reed Kraus, including assertions about federal prosecutors seeking Epstein’s cooperation against Donald Trump and the broader implications for the investigation into Epstein’s demise.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Oddity of Tartaglioni Sharing a Cell with Epstein

• Capucci opens by questioning why Tartaglioni—held for multiple homicides—was placed in a cell with Epstein, given Epstein's high-profile and vulnerable status.
• “You put a man in the jail cell with him who just a couple of weeks ago got caught with contraband in his own jail cell... For what reason? There has never been a reason given...” (01:37)

2. Tartaglioni’s Allegations: A “Deal” for Dirt on Trump

• The episode discusses a New York Post article where Tartaglioni claims federal prosecutors offered Epstein a plea deal in exchange for incriminating evidence against Donald Trump.
• Capucci is highly skeptical, doubting Tartaglioni’s credibility and motivations:
  • “I really don't believe anything he has to say because to me, all of this is just another layer to cover up the real purpose of why he was in that cell.” (02:26)
• He believes Tartaglioni is deflecting blame and possibly angling for appeal relief:
  • “This is a man that's going to say anything, do anything to try and get himself off... he's running hustle here.” (03:35)

3. Digging Into the “Dirt”

• Tartaglioni, recounting conversations with Epstein, claims prosecutors wanted “anything on Trump to get him impeached.”
• Capucci acknowledges the government’s intense search for Trump connections, but insists if incriminating evidence existed, it would have surfaced:
  • “If they had something on Trump and Epstein, we wouldn’t know about it already? That would be the crown jewel for them, right?” (11:15)

4. Epstein’s Alleged Remarks on Trump

• Tartaglioni says Epstein downplayed his relationship with Trump and mentioned a falling out after being thrown out of Mar-a-Lago for flirting with young women.
• Capucci highlights the contradiction in Tartaglioni’s accounts regarding Epstein’s awareness of his own charges and the age of the women involved.

5. The “Real” Story: Intimidation, Cover-Up & Inconsistencies

• Capucci’s core suspicion: Tartaglioni was placed in Epstein’s cell to “send a message,” not for information gathering.
  • “The real reason...was to pass the message to Jeffrey Epstein that if you don't do it yourself, we can reach out and get you anyway. So do the right thing here and finish the job.” (06:30)
• Capucci challenges the official narrative of Epstein’s suicide and highlights unresolved questions about how cell assignments were made:
  • “Until the question’s answered—who signed off on Tartaglione being in that jail cell, why they signed off on it—I really don't care what kind of narrative that Tartaglioni is trying to pitch.” (16:12)

6. On the Credibility of Tartaglioni and His Supporters

• Capucci is unimpressed by claims Tartaglioni was “wrongly convicted,” dismissing them as legal maneuvering rather than fact:
  • “Am I the only one that's getting tired of all of that? Every time somebody gets arrested, there's like this group of people that come out and they're like, oh, they were wrongfully convicted...” (16:34)
• He credits journalist Jessica Reed Kraus for chasing the story but warns listeners not to be “fooled” by Tartaglioni’s narrative.

7. Legal Expert Reactions

• Alan Dershowitz and other legal experts find the notion of prosecutors seeking damaging information plausible but Capucci is dismissive.
  • “Federal prosecutors in particular are known to conduct these types of proper sessions. Defendants facing extreme sentences are pressured to name names...even when there may be some resistance.” (15:20)
  • Capucci counters: “That's defense attorney speak. And frankly, all of this is a plot for Nicholas Tartaglioni to get an appeal. That's what this is. Nothing more, nothing less.” (16:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “There has never been a reason given as to why Nicholas Tartaglioni was put in a jail cell with Epstein. In the first place.” (01:37)
• “I really don't believe anything he has to say because to me, all of this is just another layer to cover up the real purpose...” (02:26)
• “This whole entire story that's being concocted here, I don't buy one single bit of it. Okay, let's just go on record right now. I don't buy any of it.” (04:09)
• “If they had something on Trump and Epstein, we wouldn’t know about it already? That would be the crown jewel for them, right?” (11:15)
• “Until the question’s answered—who signed off on Tartaglione being in that jail cell, why they signed off on it—I really don't care what kind of narrative that Tartaglioni is trying to pitch.” (16:12)
• “Every time somebody gets arrested, there's like this group of people that come out and they're like, oh, they were wrongfully convicted...” (16:34)
• “For me, I need to know what was going on with the whole process of putting him in the jail cell, who made those decisions... Until that occurs, you can expect my fat ass yap to keep running.” (16:50)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 1:30 - Introduction to the core mystery: Epstein & Tartaglioni’s cell assignment
• 2:30 - Capucci’s skepticism about Tartaglioni’s claims and character
• 3:50 - Recap of the New York Post article and Tartaglioni’s claims
• 6:30 - Capucci’s theory: message-sending, not information extraction, as the motive
• 11:15 - Discussion of the Epstein-Trump relationship and plausibility of secret information
• 15:20 - Legal experts’ takes and Capucci’s rebuttal
• 16:12 - Capucci states the central unanswered questions and his bottom line

Tone and Language

Capucci maintains a skeptical, irreverent, and direct tone throughout, with a heavy dose of sarcasm and suspicion of official narratives and media spin. He repeatedly expresses distrust towards both Tartaglioni and the motivations of legal actors, presenting himself as an unfiltered investigator deeply cynical of both the criminal justice and political systems.

Key Takeaways

• The cell assignment of Tartaglioni and Epstein remains unexplained, and Capucci suspects foul play or at least coercion by authorities.
• Tartaglioni’s claims about prosecutors seeking dirt on Trump are treated as self-serving and dubious.
• Capucci calls for answers about decision-making within the jail as more significant than any supposed “dirt” that might have emerged from Epstein’s cell.
• The episode is a passionate critique of both criminal justice procedures in high-profile cases and the reliability of jailhouse narratives.

For more information and linked resources, check the episode’s Description box.