Goldman Sachs’ outgoing top lawyer, Kathryn Ruemmler, is scheduled to appear before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, her spokesperson confirmed on Tuesday following the release of Justice Department documents linking her to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The documents made public by the U.S. Justice Department show that Ruemmler accepted gifts from Epstein and advised him on how to handle media inquiries about his crimes, according to the recently released records.
In a statement, spokesperson Jennifer Connelly said Ruemmler "welcomes the opportunity to appear before the committee." Connelly added that Ruemmler "has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part." The statement also noted that Ruemmler was a practicing criminal defense attorney at the time of her interactions with Epstein and that she shared a client with him.
Goldman Sachs Chief Executive David Solomon said in February that Ruemmler had resigned from the position of chief legal officer. Ruemmler has separately stated she will leave the firm in June. Her exit is the most prominent banking departure following the Justice Department's latest release of documents related to Epstein.
Context and immediate facts
- The Justice Department released documents showing Ruemmler accepted gifts from Epstein and advised him on media handling.
- Ruemmler's spokesperson stated she denies any knowledge of ongoing criminal activity and maintains she did nothing wrong.
- Goldman CEO David Solomon announced Ruemmler's resignation from the CLO role in February; Ruemmler said she will leave the firm in June.
Notable points
- Ruemmler will testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee regarding her ties to Epstein.
- The disclosures in Justice Department documents prompted scrutiny that coincided with her resignation from the chief legal officer position.
- The departure is described as the most high-profile banking exit tied to the Justice Department's recent document release on Epstein.