An influential Wall Street figure and former top Obama White House attorney is stepping down from her position at Goldman Sachs after internal communications revealed a personal and sometimes affectionate association with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Kathryn Ruemmler, who has served as Goldman Sachs’ Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel since 2020, informed colleagues on Thursday that she will exit her post at the end of June 2026. The news marks a dramatic turn for Ruemmler, renowned for her legal acumen and a high-profile tenure as President Barack Obama’s White House counsel, following the public release of private emails exchanged with Epstein.
The emails showed Ruemmler referring to Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey” and, at times, expressing adoration for him—a stark contrast to her recent public statements condemning his crimes. Epstein, a financier who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had been previously convicted of sex offenses in 2008. Despite his criminal history, Ruemmler accepted expensive gifts from Epstein, including designer handbags and a fur coat, with one 2018 message reading, “So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!”
Corporate governance experts note that Goldman Sachs, like many major financial institutions, has strict policies regarding gifts between clients and employees to prevent potential conflicts of interest and ensure compliance with anti-bribery regulations. Employees are expected to seek prior approval for gifts, especially those of significant value, according to the firm’s code of conduct. Custom on Wall Street generally shuns lavish exchanges due to the risks they pose to reputational integrity.
Ruemmler’s ties to Epstein came under increased scrutiny after her appointment to Goldman’s top legal position. Despite mounting calls for her to step down, she had previously said she would remain in her role. In recent statements, Ruemmler has labeled Epstein a “monster” and has distanced herself from their past relationship.
A Goldman Sachs spokesperson acknowledged the controversy, saying Ruemmler “regrets ever knowing him.” In her own message to the firm, Ruemmler wrote, “Since I joined Goldman Sachs six years ago, it has been my privilege to help oversee the firm’s legal, reputational, and regulatory matters; to enhance our strong risk management processes; and to ensure that we live by our core value of integrity in everything we do. My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs’ interests first.”
Goldman chief executive David Solomon expressed appreciation for Ruemmler’s work and leadership. “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,” Solomon said in a statement. Earlier, as recently as December, Solomon publicly described Ruemmler as an “excellent lawyer” and indicated that she retained his full confidence.
Ruemmler joined Goldman after a distinguished legal career, which included government service and private practice. Her resignation comes amid broader industry discussions about transparency and accountability at the highest levels of finance and law.
