Goldman Sachs Legal Chief Resigns After Documents Reveal Extent of Epstein Relationship

2026-02-13 companies

New York, Friday, 13 February 2026.
Goldman Sachs’ general counsel resigned following revelations she advised Jeffrey Epstein and accepted luxury gifts, referring to the disgraced financier as “Uncle Jeffrey” in private correspondence.

Unveiling the Depth of the Relationship

The departure follows the release of a significant cache of Department of Justice documents in late January 2026, which included over 10,000 files contradicting previous assertions that Ruemmler’s relationship with Epstein was strictly professional [4]. While Goldman Sachs (GS) and Ruemmler had maintained that her interactions were limited to legal representation, the newly publicized emails and photographs reveal a personal friendship characterized by the exchange of luxury gifts and warm correspondence spanning several years [4][8]. Among the disclosures was a 2018 email in which Ruemmler thanked Epstein for his generosity, writing, “So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!” [2][7].

Luxury Gifts and Specific Requests

The documents detail specific high-value items Ruemmler accepted while a partner at Latham & Watkins, including a Hermès purse valued at $9,350 in 2016 and a Fendi coat and bag worth $6,800 in August 2018 [8]. In another exchange, she provided specific preferences for an Apple Watch band, stating, “I love the Hermes one!…If truly okay with him to do the Hermes, I would love the 40 mm, stainless Hermes with bleu indigo swift leather double tour” [5]. In 2019, she wrote to Epstein to express her gratitude for being “tricked out” with boots, a handbag, and a watch [5]. These interactions occurred between 2014 and 2019, following her tenure as White House counsel [5].

Strategic Counsel and Crisis Management

Beyond the exchange of gifts, the correspondence indicates that Ruemmler provided informal counsel to Epstein regarding his public image well after his 2008 conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor [1][8]. In March 2019, she advised him on how to handle inquiries from The Washington Post and the Miami Herald, suggesting he characterize the criticism of his previous plea deal as a “fundamental [misunderstanding]” of the facts [1]. She drafted language for Epstein asserting that he had been subjected to “aggressive treatment” by federal prosecutors and had paid significant settlements to victims [1].

The Final Communications

This advisory role continued until the final moments of Epstein’s freedom. Following his arrest on sex trafficking charges on July 6, 2019, Epstein called Ruemmler’s cell phone from custody [1][5]. During the call, Epstein asked, “Is this about sex trafficking. Is this about underage,” a situation an FBI agent described in notes as “pretty bad” [2][5]. Ruemmler has since stated she had “no knowledge of any ongoing criminal conduct” and did not know Epstein as the “monster he has been revealed to be” [5]. A spokesperson for Ruemmler added that Epstein often sought informal legal advice, which she provided to “placate him without having to actually get involved” [8].

Corporate Governance and Executive Response

Ruemmler, who joined Goldman Sachs in 2020, had been a central figure in the bank’s leadership and a close advisor to CEO David Solomon [1]. Her resignation marks a shift from the firm’s stance as recently as December 2025, when Solomon expressed his full confidence in her, describing her as an “excellent lawyer” [7]. Upon accepting her resignation on Thursday, Solomon reiterated his respect, stating, “Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her contributions” [1]. Ruemmler emphasized that her primary responsibility remains to “put Goldman Sachs’ interests first,” necessitating her departure to remove the distraction [4][8].

Sources

Corporate Governance Executive Management