Kathryn Ruemmler, the former White House counsel under President Barack Obama and current general counsel of Goldman Sachs, is stepping down from her role at the investment bank following the release of newly disclosed Justice Department documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Ruemmler confirmed to CBS News that she is resigning from her position. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said in a statement that he accepted her resignation and respected her decision. He described Ruemmler as an “extraordinary general counsel” who would be missed. Her resignation is set to take effect on June 30.
Role at Goldman and Prior Government Service
Ruemmler has served as chief legal officer and general counsel at Goldman Sachs since 2020 and co-chaired the firm’s reputational risk committee. Before joining the bank, she was a partner at the law firm Latham & Watkins. From 2011 to 2014, she served as White House counsel during the Obama administration.
Her departure follows renewed scrutiny after her name appeared in emails included in a large batch of Epstein-related files released by the Justice Department in late January and early February. The documents contain communications dating from 2014 to 2019, the year Epstein died while in federal custody.
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Emails and Calendar Entries
Among the emails released is a December 2015 exchange in which Ruemmler told a recipient she “adored” Epstein, likening him to “another older brother,” after he offered to purchase her a first-class ticket to Europe.
Epstein’s calendar records also reference multiple scheduled meetings and events involving Ruemmler. One entry from February 2018 noted a planned visit from a “Glam Squad” to her New York apartment, though the context of the note remains unclear.
In a separate 2015 exchange, Epstein asked Ruemmler about arranging a White House tour for filmmaker Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn. Ruemmler responded that she could facilitate a tour but indicated Epstein himself might be “too politically sensitive.” According to White House records, the tour ultimately took place in December 2015.
Timeline and Legal Context
The communications occurred years after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to prostitution-related charges in Florida. In 2019, he was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges but died by suicide while awaiting trial.
Ruemmler has previously addressed her connection to Epstein. In a 2023 interview with The Wall Street Journal, she said, “I regret ever knowing Jeffrey Epstein.”
The Justice Department’s recent release of Epstein-related materials has prompted renewed public and political attention, with multiple high-profile individuals’ names appearing in various communications and records.
Impact on Goldman Sachs
Ruemmler’s resignation marks a significant leadership change for Goldman Sachs, where she held one of the most senior legal roles at the firm. As general counsel and co-chair of the reputational risk committee, she was closely involved in overseeing legal matters and risk management. Goldman Sachs has not yet announced a successor.
Her departure comes as financial institutions and corporate leaders face increased scrutiny over reputational risks tied to past associations, particularly those linked to Epstein.
The broader fallout from the newly released files continues to unfold, with lawmakers and public figures responding to the additional disclosures.