Fallout from the newly unsealed Department of Justice records continues to shake top names of global industry. The latest casualty is Kathryn Ruemmler, the top legal officer at Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS), who plans to exit her role in June.
Ruemmler, formerly a high-ranking official within the Obama White House, has faced intense pressure as her history with Jeffrey Epstein became public knowledge, according to the New York Times.
While the investment bank previously downplayed these connections, the fresh batch of documents painted a far more intimate picture.
The Evidence and Allegations
Although Goldman maintains that Epstein was never an official client, the correspondence suggests a deep involvement in his personal and legal affairs, the New York Times reports.
- Legal Collaboration: Records show Ruemmler assisted in refining a defense for Epstein's 2008 plea deal regarding the solicitation of a minor.
- Media Management: She reportedly helped strategize around a potential ABC News segment involving accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
- Personal Connection: The files revealed personal emails where Ruemmler used affectionate nicknames like “sweetie” and “Uncle Jeffrey,” alongside discussions regarding gifts and her private life.
Internal Friction at Goldman
The decision for her to step down follows a period of visible internal confusion.
Just last week, Ruemmler appeared prominently at a partner meeting, a move many interpreted as a sign of job security. Goldman even enlisted a high-profile defamation attorney to challenge media narratives about her.
However, behind the scenes, the sentiment was less unified. The New York Times reported that sources indicated various executives viewed the mounting scandal as a humiliating diversion for the bank.
Despite the friction, Goldman CEO David Solomon released a memo praising her as an “extraordinary” asset to the company.
Photo: ioda / Shutterstock
