Kathy Ruemmler, who served as White House counsel under former President Barack Obama before becoming chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs, will step down from the Wall Street firm following renewed scrutiny over her past communications with Jeffrey Epstein.
Her departure comes after Justice Department (DOJ) disclosures detailed years of contact between the two, drawing fresh attention to the late financier’s connections with prominent figures.
Ruemmler announced she will leave her post as Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel effective June 30.
In a statement, she said sustained media coverage related to her prior legal work had become a distraction and emphasized that her obligation was to act in Goldman’s best interests.
Chief Executive David Solomon confirmed he accepted her resignation and thanked her for her contributions to the firm, Fortune reported.
According to DOJ materials, Ruemmler exchanged emails with Epstein from 2014 through 2019, years after his 2008 Florida conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. By that point, Epstein was a registered sex offender.
The newly released documents provided additional detail about the frequency and tone of their communications.
Messages cited in the records show Ruemmler using familiar language when addressing Epstein and expressing appreciation for luxury gifts he provided.
Reported items included high-end handbags, technology products, spa treatments, travel arrangements, and other expensive goods.
In a 2018 message, she thanked him enthusiastically for his generosity, according to the Financial Times.
The disclosures also indicate that after Epstein’s 2019 federal arrest on sex trafficking charges, Ruemmler offered advice via email regarding how he might respond publicly to media scrutiny.
At the time, questions were resurfacing about whether Epstein had received preferential treatment in earlier legal proceedings. He later died in federal custody while awaiting trial.
Inside Goldman Sachs, the revelations revived attention to corporate compliance standards governing gifts and conflicts of interest.
The Chicago Tribune noted that major financial institutions typically require preapproval before employees accept items of significant value from clients or associates in order to comply with ethics policies and anti-bribery regulations.
Solomon had publicly defended Ruemmler as recently as December, describing her as an accomplished lawyer with his full confidence.
However, recent document releases reportedly heightened concern among some current and former executives who feared the controversy could weigh on the firm’s reputation. Her resignation follows growing internal unease.
Before joining Goldman in 2020, Ruemmler practiced law at Latham & Watkins after serving in the Obama administration, where she held one of the most senior legal advisory positions in the White House.
Goldman and Ruemmler had previously characterized her interactions with Epstein as professional and related to business development efforts.
In her statement announcing her departure, Ruemmler said she regretted ever knowing Epstein and expressed sympathy for individuals harmed by his crimes.
Her exit represents one of the most significant corporate repercussions linked to the latest wave of Epstein-related disclosures, underscoring the lasting reputational impact on major institutions and high-profile figures.
