Goldman Sachs top lawyer Kathy Ruemmler resigns over Epstein ties
Ruemmler, general counsel since 2020, will depart June 30 after recent release of emails showing her close relationship with the convicted sex offender.
February 12, 2026
Kathy Ruemmler, Goldman Sachs's general counsel, announced Thursday night that she will resign from the investment bank, effective June 30, following the Justice Department's release of documents revealing her extensive relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.
Ruemmler made the decision to leave herself and informed CEO David Solomon of her resignation, according to sources. "I made the determination that the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defense attorney, was becoming a distraction," she said in a statement.
The resignation comes after newly released emails and other materials contradicted years of statements by Ruemmler and Goldman that she maintained only a professional relationship with Epstein. The documents, released late last month by the Justice Department, showed that before joining Goldman in 2020, Ruemmler served as a counselor, confidante and friend to Epstein. She advised him on responding to questions about his sex crimes, discussed her personal dating life with him, and addressed him using terms of endearment including "sweetie" and "Uncle Jeffrey." In emails revealed in the latest document dump, Ruemmler signed notes to Epstein with "xoxo" and wished him a happy birthday.
Epstein, in turn, provided career advice regarding her move to Goldman, introduced her to prominent businesspeople, and gave her gifts including spa treatments, according to the released documents.
In her resignation statement, Ruemmler said: "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."
Goldman had publicly defended Ruemmler for several months after the Department of Justice initially released emails between her and Epstein. CEO Solomon had stood by her despite pressure from some bankers at the firm who sought her removal. Sources indicated Solomon's support was rooted in loyalty, noting that Ruemmler is considered one of the best lawyers in the country and that the released documents contained no evidence she had engaged in illegal conduct.
The resignation announcement also comes as other prominent figures have faced scrutiny following the Epstein files release. In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Thursday that his cabinet secretary, Chris Wormald, would step down following revelations about contacts between former U.S. Ambassador Peter Mandelson and Epstein. Starmer said the departure was by mutual agreement.
Additionally, documents released this month revealed that Jes Staley, the former Barclays chief executive, was named as a trustee of Epstein's estate until at least May 2015. Staley's signature appeared on a copy of the Jeffrey E Epstein 2014 Trust dated November 2014, which detailed tens of millions of dollars in bequests and loan waivers. The disclosure raised questions about whether Staley had given accurate court testimony last year regarding the nature of his ties to Epstein. Staley has denied any wrongdoing and has never been charged with a crime related to allegations reviewed by U.S. prosecutors.