Kathy Ruemmler Resigns from Goldman Sachs Following Jeffrey Epstein Communications Disclosure

Kathy Ruemmler, Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel for Goldman Sachs, has announced her resignation from the firm, effective June 30, 2026. The decision follows the public disclosure of emails and communications indicating a relationship between Ms. Ruemmler and Jeffrey Epstein, who was convicted of sex crimes.

Her resignation comes after the emergence of correspondence that included her referring to Epstein as "Uncle Jeffrey" and an "older brother."

Resignation Announcement

Ms. Ruemmler, who assumed the Chief Legal Officer role in 2020, previously served as White House counsel to President Barack Obama. She is slated to depart Goldman Sachs in mid-2026.

Details of the Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein

Between 2014 and 2019, Ms. Ruemmler had a significant number of communications with Mr. Epstein. This period was notably after Mr. Epstein's 2008 conviction for sex crimes and his subsequent registration as a sex offender.

Key aspects of their interactions included:

• Correspondence: An email from Ms. Ruemmler to Mr. Epstein in 2018 stated, "So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!"
• Gifts: During her time in private practice after leaving the White House in 2014, Ms. Ruemmler received multiple expensive gifts from Mr. Epstein, including luxury handbags and a fur coat. These gifts were given after his 2008 conviction.
• Legal Advice: In 2019, Ms. Ruemmler advised Mr. Epstein on how to respond to a media inquiry concerning alleged special legal treatment he received due to his connections.
• Arrest Contact: According to law enforcement notes, Mr. Epstein contacted Ms. Ruemmler's cell phone on July 6, 2019, the night of his arrest for sex crimes. An FBI document cited statements made by Mr. Epstein that day, including: "Is this about sex trafficking. Is this about underage." and "Oh this is bad, this is pretty bad."

Recent Statements and Context

In recent statements, Ms. Ruemmler has described Mr. Epstein as a "monster." A Goldman Sachs spokesperson indicated that Ms. Ruemmler expressed regret for having known him.

"I was a defense attorney when I dealt with Jeffrey Epstein," Ms. Ruemmler commented in a statement to Reuters on February 3.

Company Policies and Guidelines

Wall Street guidelines generally advise against high-value gift-giving between clients and bankers or lawyers to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Goldman Sachs' code of conduct requires employees to obtain pre-approval before receiving or giving gifts, particularly those of significant value, to ensure compliance with anti-bribery laws and prevent conflicts of interest.

Leadership Response

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon had previously expressed his full support for Ms. Ruemmler, describing her as an "excellent lawyer" as recently as December.

Upon accepting her resignation, Mr. Solomon stated:

"As one of the most accomplished professionals in her field, Kathy has also been a mentor and friend to many of our people, and she will be missed. I accepted her resignation, and I respect her decision."