Kathy Ruemmler, the chief legal officer and general counsel of global investment bank Goldman Sachs, has announced her resignation after newly released emails revealed a close relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, PBS NewsHour reported.
What do we know about Kathy Ruemmler?
Ruemmler, a prominent lawyer who previously served as White House counsel under former President Barack Obama, said she will step down from her role at Goldman Sachs on June 30. The decision comes amid public scrutiny over correspondence that showed a long-standing, seemingly personal connection with Epstein, communications that have raised questions about judgment and ethics, according to AP News.
The emails, part of a tranche of documents released by the US Department of Justice, revealed that Ruemmler exchanged messages with Epstein between 2014 and 2019, years after his 2008 conviction for sex crimes and registration as a sex offender. In some messages, she reportedly referred to Epstein as an “older brother” and “Uncle Jeffrey” while expressing affection and gratitude, even after his criminal history was well known.
‘Ruemmler accepted expensive gifts from Epstein’
During her legal career after leaving the White House in 2014, Ruemmler also accepted expensive gifts from Epstein, including luxury handbags and a fur coat, some of which were documented in the correspondences.
Despite the mounting controversy in recent weeks, Ruemmler had previously maintained that her relationship with Epstein was professional and that she was unaware of the full extent of his criminal conduct during their early interactions. However, as media attention intensified, she ultimately concluded that the ongoing coverage had become a distraction for the firm.
In her resignation statement, Ruemmler emphasised her six years of service at Goldman Sachs, highlighting her work on legal, reputational, and regulatory matters and reiterating her commitment to the firm’s integrity and risk management.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon also acknowledged her contributions, describing her as an accomplished professional and mentor whose departure will be felt across the organisation.