Here’s the crude email exchange with Jeffrey Epstein that ended Kathy Ruemmler’s stint as Goldman Sachs’ top lawyer

An email concerning Jeffrey Epstein’s inappropriate language about his genitals led to Kathy Ruemmler stepping down as the top lawyer at Goldman Sachs, according to sources close to her.

Ruemmler, who interacted with Epstein through a legal client, is referenced numerous times in the Epstein files. However, it was a crude comment by Epstein regarding his genitals and Ruemmler’s neutral response that made her position unsustainable, despite claims by those close to her that it was meant to deflect his rudeness.

“That email was the breaking point,” a source close to Ruemmler, who was in communication with her until her resignation, revealed.

“It became too difficult to justify to friends and others, even if there was an innocent explanation. She was exhausted and wanted it all to end,” the source added.

The incident dates back to 2015 when Ruemmler, a former prosecutor, served as a top lawyer at Latham & Watkins, following her role as White House counsel during the Obama Administration.

Unlike many others in Epstein’s controversial social circle, Ruemmler’s connection to the convicted individual was not based on personal gain but rather through her work for another client, the Swiss bank Edmond de Rothschild Group.

Initially, Epstein was supposed to act as a gatekeeper for the legal matters Ruemmler was handling, despite his previous guilty plea in 2008 for soliciting sex from a minor.

What began as a professional association gradually developed into a more casual relationship.

In their correspondence, discussions about visits to Epstein’s Caribbean island (which Ruemmler’s representatives deny she attended) and public relations guidance for Epstein are evident. She even referred to Epstein as “uncle Jeffrey” after receiving boots as a gift from him.

When Epstein was arrested for the second time in 2019, before his apparent suicide in jail, one of his initial calls was to Ruemmler (her representatives clarify that she never engaged with him as a client in any capacity).

The situation was embarrassing for both Ruemmler and Goldman. Despite this, Goldman Sachs supported her for months, believing that her interactions with Epstein, while questionable, were conducted on behalf of a client.

Meanwhile, Ruemmler continued her role as the general counsel of one of the world’s most prestigious firms seemingly without disruption.

Internally, however, she faced challenges. Goldman Sachs’ corporate environment is known for its competitiveness. There were rumors leaked by colleagues about potential plans to remove her from her position, which the firm officially denied.

According to sources familiar with the situation, Ruemmler found herself frequently explaining the intricacies of her exchanges with Epstein to friends and acquaintances.

Despite her legal background, she claimed to have been misled into thinking that Epstein had reformed his ways, attributing his prior offense to a misunderstanding with a person he believed was of legal age.

However, the turning point came with the birthday email and Ruemmler’s perceived lack of outrage over its content.

The email exchange commenced innocently enough, with Ruemmler wishing Epstein a happy birthday and him responding with inappropriate remarks regarding his genitals.

One source close to Ruemmler emphasized that the casual discussion of a convicted sex offender’s genitalia was a significant factor in her decision to step down.

“It’s truly unfortunate what happened to her because, at the end of the day, she didn’t do anything wrong but engage with this individual,” a close associate remarked. “That single email pushed her to her breaking point.”