Former Goldman Sachs Lawyer Ruemmler Faces House Scrutiny Over Epstein Ties
Kathryn Ruemmler’s congressional testimony highlights ongoing reputational and governance risks for Goldman Sachs as lawmakers examine the bank’s historical ties to the convicted sex offender.
Former Goldman Sachs Group Inc. general counsel Kathryn Ruemmler testified before the House oversight committee on Wednesday regarding her past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein. Ruemmler stated that the convicted sex offender deceived her about his behavior and leveraged his connections with prominent figures to legitimize his standing.
"Epstein was a masterful liar, and he clearly lied to me," Ruemmler said in her opening statement. She emphasized that she never witnessed evidence of ongoing criminal conduct and would have reported any signs of abuse to law enforcement, calling her association with him a profound mistake.
The testimony underscores persistent governance and reputational challenges for Goldman Sachs as it navigates leadership transitions under intense public scrutiny. Although Ruemmler recently stepped down as the bank’s top lawyer, she has remained in an advisory capacity while the firm searches for a permanent successor.
Goldman Sachs Chief Executive Officer David Solomon recently defended this arrangement. Speaking on CNBC, Solomon stated that retaining her expertise fulfills the firm’s obligations, asking, "Why wouldn't we take advantage of that as we try to do its best for Goldman Sachs?" He added that Ruemmler is currently helping the bank navigate the transition.
Lawmakers focused their inquiry on Ruemmler’s dealings with Epstein between 2014 and 2019. Congressional and Justice Department documents reveal she received luxury gifts from Epstein, advised him on managing media criticism, and spoke with him by phone following his July 2019 arrest on federal child sex trafficking charges.
In a March 2019 email, Ruemmler reportedly suggested language Epstein could use to rebut criticism of his lenient 2008 plea deal. She originally met Epstein in 2014 while practicing white-collar defense at Latham & Watkins, where she shared a client with him but never formally represented him.
The oversight committee is examining how Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell cultivated influence among powerful individuals. The panel has also conducted interviews with former President Bill Clinton, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Representative Robert Garcia, the committee’s top Democrat, indicated that the inquiry would directly touch the investment bank. "I do think we have some on Goldman Sachs later in the afternoon," Garcia noted, signaling continued legislative focus on the firm’s historical associations.
