Goldman Sachs is publicly supporting its top lawyer, Kathy Ruemmler, after a congressional committee released old emails showing her friendly exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein. These messages were written years before she joined the company in 2020, but they are drawing major attention because Epstein was already a convicted sex offender at the time.
Ruemmler, who previously served as White House Counsel under Barack Obama, exchanged emails with Epstein from 2015 to 2018. During that period, she was a partner at Latham & Watkins, leading its white-collar defense and investigations practice. In 2023, she told The Wall Street Journal that she regretted ever knowing Epstein.
The emails were released by the House Oversight Committee after it subpoenaed Epstein’s estate. The messages include light conversations, reactions to news stories, and mentions of public figures such as Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Bannon, Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, Karen McDougal, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
Goldman Sachs spokesperson Tony Fratto defended Ruemmler, saying the emails were private and written long before she joined the bank. He described her as an exceptional leader whose judgment the company relies on daily. Ruemmler did not comment on the emails when contacted this week.
Leaked Epstein emails claim he “coached” Russian diplomats on how to handle Trump
Emails Show Personal and Political Chats
The released emails show casual conversations about travel, personal plans, and public events. In March 2018, Epstein sent Ruemmler a Daily Beast article about Donald Trump and wrote, “See you at 2, I ordered sushi for you.” This exchange took place about 17 months before Epstein was arrested again in 2019 on federal child sex trafficking charges. He died weeks later in a Manhattan jail.
In one August 2015 email thread, Ruemmler made a remark about Trump, and Epstein responded by asking when she would be in New York. She then joked about stopping at a New Jersey Turnpike rest stop filled with people she described as very overweight.
In January 2016, Epstein told her he had stopped speaking to Bill Clinton after Clinton gave him two different stories just weeks apart. A July 2016 email from Epstein mentioned a photo of Ruemmler wearing a black dress alongside Ruth Bader Ginsburg at a state dinner. She replied that the dress was by Narciso Rodriguez and asked where he saw the photo. Epstein said it was on major news channels after Ginsburg apologized for comments she made about Trump.
Exchanges About High-Profile Figures and News Events
Other messages show Ruemmler reacting to news involving Trump. In July 2017, she wrote that Trump was “truly stupid,” and Epstein answered, “Duh.” Earlier that year, she wrote that Trump was “so gross,” and Epstein said he was even worse in person.
Some emails include forwarded messages from Steve Bannon, who suggested a private off-the-record meeting that included Bill Clinton. Ruemmler replied that Clinton’s lawyer would advise him not to attend. In another exchange, she reacted with “Barf” when Epstein relayed a complaint from a woman about a man named Ben wanting her to do “wife like things.”
In June 2018, Epstein mentioned Mark Zuckerberg, saying he wanted to bring the internet to the rest of the world and expand healthcare. Epstein commented on Priscilla Chan and asked Ruemmler what challenges she saw in those efforts. Another message referenced news involving Michael Cohen, Stormy Daniels, and Karen McDougal, tied to discussions of hush-money payments.
Goldman Sachs Reaffirms Its Position
The emails span a period after Epstein’s 2008 conviction, during which he served 13 months in jail and became a registered sex offender. Reports also show Epstein introduced Ruemmler to possible clients while she was at Latham & Watkins, including Bill Gates. The law firm has said Epstein was not a client.
Goldman Sachs maintains that the emails were written before Ruemmler joined the company and continues to stand firmly behind her.
