Goldman Sachs CEO Supports General Counsel Amid Epstein Revelations
On Wednesday, David Solomon, the CEO of Goldman Sachs, expressed backing for the bank’s general counsel, Kathy Ruemmler, following the release of emails that highlighted her close ties with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In an interview with CNBC, Solomon remarked, “She is an excellent lawyer and the organization relies on her guidance every day,” when asked about the potential implications of Ruemmler’s relationship with Epstein.
This statement followed days of speculation regarding the depth of their connection, which seemed more significant than previously understood.
Recently, Ruemmler circulated a memo to all employees urging them to be cautious in their communications, which reportedly upset some staff members at Goldman. “What you communicate and how you communicate reflects on your reputation and that of your firm,” she noted.
Some employees perceived the memo as tone-deaf. One individual reacted, saying, “The fact that they put her name on this after last week’s email… is beyond disgusting,” referring to numerous exchanges between Ruemmler and Epstein spanning from 2014 to 2019. This was shortly after Epstein had pleaded guilty to prostitution charges back in 2008 and settled civil lawsuits in 2010.
The emails were part of a larger release from the House Oversight Committee, which came amid increasing calls for the disclosure of what is often referred to as the “Epstein file.”
Throughout their correspondence, discussions often turned to former President Trump. In a 2017 exchange, Ruemmler described Trump as “so bad,” to which Epstein replied.
Joining Goldman in 2020 after her time in private practice at Latham & Watkins, Ruemmler reportedly shared that Epstein had offered his connections to help her previous firm gain business, according to reports.
After her tenure in the Obama administration, she had numerous meetings with Epstein and was invited to visit him in Paris in 2015 and on his Caribbean island in 2017. A spokesperson from Goldman stated that she had never accepted trips from Epstein or visited the notorious island.
Interestingly, she was named a backup executor in Epstein’s will in January 2019, just before his arrest and subsequent suicide later that year.
In light of 2023 revelations about his interactions with Epstein, some of Goldman’s lawyers reflected that they regretted knowing him.
Similar associations have affected other notable figures. For instance, economist Larry Summers has distanced himself from public roles due to his links with Epstein. Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black resigned as CEO in 2021 after compensating Epstein with $158 million for advisory services. Additionally, former Barclays CEO Jess Staley stepped down and faced a lifetime ban from British banking because of his friendship with Epstein.
