Kathy Remler, the chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs, has stepped down due to her connections with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. This announcement was made by the firm’s CEO, David Solomon, late Thursday evening, shortly after the New York markets closed.
Remler’s resignation follows weeks of scrutiny regarding her communications with Epstein over the years. It turns out she had discussed personal matters with him and even sought career advice.
In an email from January 2019, she mentioned “Uncle Jeffrey totally fooled me today! Jeffrey’s boots, handbag, and watch!” This exchange, along with others, gained attention after the Justice Department destroyed documents revealing Epstein’s extensive connections with prominent figures in U.S. politics and finance.
Solomon praised Remler’s service, remarking, “Throughout her tenure, Kathy has served as an exceptional general counsel. We are grateful for her contributions and sound advice on a wide range of legal matters important to our firm.”
He expressed that the firm will miss her. “Kathy was one of the foremost experts in her field, a mentor, and a friend to many,” he added. Remler’s departure will officially take place on June 30, as she stated through a spokesperson.
Having been with Goldman Sachs for six years, Remler reflected on her time, emphasizing her commitment to the firm’s legal integrity and reputation. She pointed out her responsibility to prioritize Goldman Sachs’ interests above all.
Although she never formally represented Epstein, sources close to Goldman indicated that Remler was seen as one of Solomon’s most trusted associates. Her resignation followed a report that she was one of three people Epstein contacted after his arrest for child sex trafficking in July 2019.
Epstein died in a Manhattan jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial. His case continues to reverberate, with new records coming to light, leading to professional repercussions for various individuals linked to him. For instance, former Barclays CEO Jess Staley was ousted in November 2021 after the Financial Conduct Authority found he had not accurately disclosed his relationship with Epstein.
Recently, Brad Karp also stepped down as chairman of the corporate law firm Paul Weiss amid issues related to his correspondence with Epstein.
