Goldman Sachs General Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler to Resign After Emails Show She Called Jeffrey Epstein 'Uncle Jeffrey' and Accepted Luxury Gifts Post‑Conviction
Goldman Sachs Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler is resigning effective June 30, 2026, after DOJ‑released Epstein files containing 2014–2019 emails and calendar entries showed she referred to Jeffrey Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey” and an “older brother,” arranged favors at his request (including a White House tour for Woody Allen and Soon‑Yi) and accepted luxury gifts — including designer handbags and a fur coat — after his 2008 conviction. CEO David Solomon said he accepted her resignation and praised her work, and Ruemmler said she “regretfully” decided to step down.
📌 Key Facts
- Kathryn Ruemmler will resign as Goldman Sachs Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel effective June 30, 2026; she notified CEO David Solomon and said she "regretfully" decided to step down after previously vowing not to resign.
- Goldman CEO David Solomon accepted her resignation, publicly praised her as an "extraordinary" and "one of the most accomplished professionals" in her field, and said he respected her decision.
- Her resignation follows the Department of Justice’s release of millions of Jeffrey Epstein–related documents, including emails and calendar entries from roughly 2014–2019 that reference Ruemmler.
- The released emails show Ruemmler referred to Epstein as "Uncle Jeffrey" and an "older brother," and in 2018 wrote, "So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!" in response to luxury gifts.
- The documents indicate Epstein gave Ruemmler expensive items — reportedly including luxury handbags and a fur coat — after his 2008 sex‑crime conviction, while she was in private practice after leaving the White House.
- DOJ files also show Ruemmler agreed in 2015 to arrange a White House tour for Woody Allen and Soon‑Yi at Epstein’s request.
- Goldman’s code of conduct requires pre‑approval for employee gift exchanges with clients to avoid conflicts and anti‑bribery issues, and the firm traditionally frowns on high‑end gifts.
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
February 13, 2026
7:54 AM
Goldman Sachs' top lawyer to resign after emails show close ties to Jeffrey Epstein
New information:
- Ruemmler formally announced she will step down as Goldman Sachs Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel effective June 30, 2026, after previously vowing not to resign.
- Emails show she referred to Jeffrey Epstein as “Uncle Jeffrey,” described him as an “older brother,” and wrote in 2018, “So lovely and thoughtful! Thank you to Uncle Jeffrey!!!” in response to luxury gifts.
- The article details that Epstein gave Ruemmler expensive items including luxury handbags and a fur coat after his 2008 sex‑crime conviction, while she was in private practice post‑White House.
- Goldman’s code of conduct requires pre‑approval for employee gift exchanges with clients to avoid conflicts and anti‑bribery issues; the piece notes that high‑end gifts are traditionally frowned on in that culture.
- Goldman CEO David Solomon publicly praised Ruemmler as one of the most accomplished professionals in her field and said he accepted her resignation and respected her decision.
3:31 AM
Top Goldman Sachs lawyer resigns after Epstein files release
New information:
- Axios confirms the timing and nature of Ruemmler’s resignation: she notified CEO David Solomon Thursday night that she will step down as chief legal officer and general counsel effective June 30.
- The article reiterates that she was Goldman’s top lawyer and co‑chair of its reputational risk committee and that her resignation follows the DOJ release of millions of Epstein-related documents.
- It adds a fresh on‑the‑record emailed quote from Ruemmler saying she 'regretfully' decided to step down, and a parallel emailed statement from Solomon praising her as an 'extraordinary general counsel.'
3:28 AM
Ruemmler resigning as Goldman Sachs' general counsel after appearing in Epstein files
New information:
- Kathryn Ruemmler told CBS News she is resigning as Goldman Sachs’ general counsel, with her resignation effective June 30.
- Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon confirmed he accepted her resignation, praised her as an 'extraordinary general counsel,' and said she will be missed.
- The article surfaces specific 2014–2019 emails and calendar entries from the DOJ Epstein files, including Ruemmler writing in 2015 that she 'adore[s]' Epstein and likening him to 'another older brother,' and agreeing to arrange a White House tour for Woody Allen and Soon-Yi in 2015 at Epstein’s request.
February 11, 2026