NEW YORK (Diya TV) — Goldman Sachs General Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler has resigned after the Justice Department released emails and other records detailing her past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Ruemmler stepped down Thursday amid growing scrutiny over her correspondence with Epstein. The Justice Department recently disclosed millions of pages of files tied to Epstein. The documents included emails, text messages, and photos that showed Ruemmler had a close personal and professional relationship with him for years. Her departure marks one of the most high-profile resignations linked to the renewed fallout from the Epstein files.
For years, Ruemmler and Goldman Sachs said she had only a professional relationship with Epstein. She served as a criminal defense attorney before joining Goldman in 2020. But the newly released emails painted a different picture. The messages showed friendly exchanges that continued even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex crime charges in Florida. In one email, Ruemmler wrote, “Well, I adore him. It’s like having another older brother!” In other messages, she referred to Epstein as “sweetie” and “Uncle Jeffrey.” Emails from Epstein’s longtime assistant referenced arranging a Hermes bag for her.
The documents also showed that Ruemmler once appeared as a backup executor on Epstein’s will. She never served in that role. Her name was removed before Epstein died in 2019. After Epstein’s arrest in 2019, he reportedly called Ruemmler soon after authorities took him into custody.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Ruemmler said she chose to leave because of mounting media coverage.
“I made the determination that the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defense attorney, was becoming a distraction,” she said.
A spokesperson for Ruemmler told The Wall Street Journal that the documents align with what she has said for years. The spokesperson said Ruemmler knew Epstein while working as a criminal defense lawyer and shared a client with him. Ruemmler has said she regrets ever knowing Epstein. Goldman Sachs said Ruemmler disclosed her past dealings with Epstein when the firm hired her in 2020.
Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon praised Ruemmler in a public statement.
“Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel,” Solomon said. He added that she provided sound legal advice and served as a mentor to many at the firm. Solomon said he accepted her resignation and respected her decision.
Ruemmler joined Goldman after serving as White House counsel under former President Barack Obama. She became one of the most prominent legal executives on Wall Street. As general counsel, she advised Solomon and senior leaders on major legal and regulatory matters. Her exit leaves a key leadership role open at the investment bank during a period of heightened scrutiny for financial institutions and their executives.
Ruemmler is not alone in facing consequences tied to Epstein’s records. On Feb. 4, Brad Karp stepped back as chairman of the law firm Paul Weiss. Reports said he had exchanged numerous emails with Epstein over several years.
In the United Kingdom, political fallout has also intensified. Morgan McSweeney, chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, resigned after controversy linked to recommending Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the United States. Mandelson’s name appears multiple times in the Epstein files. Mandelson later lost his post as the U.K. envoy to the United States following related revelations.
The Justice Department’s release of documents has renewed public attention on Epstein’s network of associates. Epstein, a wealthy financier, died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His case continues to draw scrutiny because of his connections to powerful figures in business and politics.
