UPDATE: Kathryn Ruemmler, the Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel of Goldman Sachs, has just announced her resignation effective June 30, 2026, amid escalating scrutiny surrounding her ties to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. This decision comes in the wake of newly released emails linking her to Epstein, further intensifying the ongoing fallout from his criminal activities.
This urgent development is crucial as it reflects the growing impact of Epstein’s legacy on the careers of high-profile individuals. Ruemmler’s resignation follows the release of documents by the US Department of Justice that show her correspondence with Epstein just months before his arrest on child sex trafficking charges in July 2019. The implications of these revelations could resonate across the financial and legal sectors.
In a statement, Ruemmler expressed her commitment to Goldman Sachs, saying, “Since I joined Goldman Sachs six years ago, it has been my privilege to help oversee the firm’s legal, reputational, and regulatory matters.” She indicated that her responsibility is to prioritize the bank’s interests, which led her to inform CEO David Solomon of her decision to step down.
Solomon praised Ruemmler’s tenure, stating, “Throughout her time, Kathryn has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her advice on a wide range of consequential legal matters.” However, the release of these emails has placed Ruemmler under a microscope, raising questions about the extent of her interactions with Epstein.
The newly revealed correspondence includes a March 2019 email where Ruemmler advised Epstein on how to manage criticism related to his controversial 2008 Florida plea deal. Her suggestions included discussing the intense media scrutiny surrounding his case, suggesting she was in closer communication with him than she later claimed.
Ruemmler, who previously served as White House Counsel under former President Barack Obama, has maintained that she never represented Epstein as a client. Her spokeswoman, Jennifer Connelly, reiterated that Ruemmler only knew Epstein in a professional capacity and had no knowledge of his criminal activities.
This resignation is part of a larger trend, as several prominent figures are stepping down amid scrutiny related to Epstein. In the UK, Morgan Sweeney resigned as chief of staff to Prime Minister Keir Starmer after advising the appointment of an ambassador later removed due to Epstein connections. In the US, Brad Karp, chairman of Paul Weiss, also faced repercussions after emails surfaced, although he remains at the firm.
Goldman Sachs previously defended Ruemmler when earlier emails were disclosed, with spokesman Tony Fratto stating that the emails were private correspondence predating her joining the firm. However, the renewed focus on her past interactions with Epstein underscores the ongoing ramifications of the Epstein files on individuals with previous associations.
As this situation develops, all eyes are on the potential fallout for Goldman Sachs and other institutions grappling with the legacy of Epstein’s connections. Stay tuned for updates on this breaking story and its implications in the financial world.
