Goldman Sachs’ Kathy Ruemmler turned down $30M to represent Jeffrey Epstein: sources
Kathy Ruemmler is set to step down as Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer at the end of June, but she plans to address the controversy surrounding her ties with Jeffrey Epstein. The 55-year-old litigator announced her departure in February due to concerns about the attention her emails with Epstein were receiving. However, insiders reveal that she intends to share her side of the story and dispel any misconceptions about her involvement with Epstein.
One significant revelation will be that Ruemmler declined a $30 million offer to represent Epstein as his criminal defense attorney after his arrest in July 2019. Despite being one of the top criminal defense attorneys in the nation, she turned down the offer citing impossibility due to her employer’s restrictions. Epstein even tried to convince her to leave her job and work for him independently, but she refused. This refusal was his final attempt before his death in 2019.
Questions arose about Ruemmler’s past dealings with Epstein, particularly her presence at his 2019 arraignment. She explained to her bosses at Goldman Sachs that her attendance was not out of friendship but due to her professional obligations to a major client of her law firm. She emphasized that the arrest had potential implications for the bank, prompting her to monitor the situation closely.
Despite the scrutiny, Ruemmler’s meticulous disclosures to Goldman’s leadership, including CEO David Solomon, highlighted her transparency and integrity. Solomon even urged her to reconsider her resignation, believing she had done nothing wrong. While Ruemmler continues her role as Goldman’s general counsel, she is actively involved in finding her replacement.
Ruemmler’s career before joining Goldman Sachs was marked by high-profile positions, including serving as White House counsel to President Barack Obama. Her association with Epstein began when he cold-called her for legal work on a charitable fund project. Although their emails may suggest a close relationship, sources clarify that their interactions were strictly professional.
Epstein’s conviction for soliciting sex with a minor initially seemed like a mistake to Ruemmler, given the lenient sentence he received. She believed his claims of remorse and change, unaware of the extent of his crimes until his second arrest. Despite Epstein’s offers of gifts and favors, Ruemmler maintained a professional distance, declining any inappropriate gestures.
As Ruemmler prepares to share her side of the story, she aims to shed light on how the Epstein controversy has affected innocent individuals. Her willingness to testify before a House committee reflects her commitment to transparency. While she refrains from commenting through Goldman, Ruemmler’s actions and disclosures speak volumes about her dedication to upholding ethical standards in her professional career.
