Goldman Sachs' top lawyer, Kathryn Ruemmler, has announced she will step down from her role after months of pressure over her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Emails disclosed by the US justice department show she referred to the disgraced financier in emails as 'Uncle Jeffrey', advised him on how to push back against media, and accepted luxury gifts from him.
My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first, Ruemmler, who previously served as White House counsel to former US President Barack Obama, said in a statement. Goldman CEO David Solomon thanked her for 'sound advice'. Her resignation will take effect from 30 June.
Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her contributions, Solomon said in a statement. He acknowledged her as a mentor and friend to many employees at the firm and expressed respect for her decision.
No indication of criminal wrongdoing has emerged regarding Ruemmler's presence in the documents related to Epstein. However, the drip of revelations surrounding her association with Epstein has become a public relations headache for Goldman Sachs, where Ruemmler led its reputational risk committee.
After joining Goldman in 2020, she faced scrutiny as communications revealed her discussions with Epstein between 2014 and 2019, while she was in private practice. Epstein, who was convicted in Florida in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a child, died in custody facing sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Ruemmler maintained in a statement earlier this month that her connection to Epstein was strictly professional, claiming she had no knowledge of his criminal conduct, which subsequent investigations would reveal. Despite the controversy, her departure is part of a larger wave of resignations linked to Epstein's legacy, affecting several high-profile figures and institutions.
My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first, Ruemmler, who previously served as White House counsel to former US President Barack Obama, said in a statement. Goldman CEO David Solomon thanked her for 'sound advice'. Her resignation will take effect from 30 June.
Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her contributions, Solomon said in a statement. He acknowledged her as a mentor and friend to many employees at the firm and expressed respect for her decision.
No indication of criminal wrongdoing has emerged regarding Ruemmler's presence in the documents related to Epstein. However, the drip of revelations surrounding her association with Epstein has become a public relations headache for Goldman Sachs, where Ruemmler led its reputational risk committee.
After joining Goldman in 2020, she faced scrutiny as communications revealed her discussions with Epstein between 2014 and 2019, while she was in private practice. Epstein, who was convicted in Florida in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a child, died in custody facing sex trafficking charges in 2019.
Ruemmler maintained in a statement earlier this month that her connection to Epstein was strictly professional, claiming she had no knowledge of his criminal conduct, which subsequent investigations would reveal. Despite the controversy, her departure is part of a larger wave of resignations linked to Epstein's legacy, affecting several high-profile figures and institutions.
