Goldman Sachs Top Lawyer Resigns Amid Epstein Email Revelations
NEW YORK (AP) — Kathy Ruemmler, the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel at Goldman Sachs, has announced her resignation following the disclosure of emails with Jeffrey Epstein, referring to him as an “older brother” and minimizing his criminal activities.
Ruemmler declared she would step down from her position by June 30, 2026. Despite earlier efforts to distance herself from the communications and insistence on remaining in her role, the revelations have led to her decision to resign.
Ruemmler, who previously described Epstein as a “monster,” had a notably different stance prior to his 2019 arrest and subsequent suicide in a Manhattan jail. In emails, Ruemmler affectionately referred to Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey” and expressed her admiration for him.
A Goldman Sachs spokesperson stated prior to her resignation that Ruemmler “regrets ever knowing him.” In her own statement, Ruemmler emphasized her commitment to Goldman Sachs’ core values and her dedication to the firm’s legal and reputational integrity during her tenure.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon acknowledged Ruemmler’s contributions, describing her as a mentor and friend to many at the firm. “I accepted her resignation, and I respect her decision,” Solomon remarked.
During her private practice period after leaving the White House in 2014, Ruemmler received costly gifts from Epstein, such as luxury handbags and a fur coat. These were received post-Epstein’s 2008 sex crime conviction and sex offender registration.
In a 2018 email to Epstein, Ruemmler wrote, “So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!” This gift-giving practice is generally frowned upon on Wall Street, especially when it could create conflicts of interest. Goldman Sachs’ code of conduct mandates preapproval for gifts to avoid potential anti-bribery law violations.
As recently as December, CEO David Solomon had expressed full faith in Ruemmler, calling her an “excellent lawyer.”
