Goldman Faces Unease Over Lawyer's Epstein Ties

Bank's general counsel Kathy Ruemmler's past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein raises concerns.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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The top partners at Goldman Sachs Group Inc. were expecting to celebrate the bank's soaring stock price and trading bonanza at their annual gathering in Miami this week. Instead, many are girding for a different topic: Kathy Ruemmler's association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during the years before she became the bank's general counsel.

Why it matters

Ruemmler's past relationship with Epstein, including accepting tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from him and addressing him as 'sweetie' in an exchange about sex crimes, has raised concerns and unease among Goldman's top leadership as the bank grapples with its own reputation and ties to the disgraced financier.

The details

Recently released Epstein files show that in the years before Ruemmler became the bank's general counsel, she accepted tens of thousands of dollars in gifts from Epstein and sometimes called him 'Uncle Jeffrey' and described him as like 'another older brother.' When she was accused of having a relationship with one of Epstein's married lawyers, Ruemmler forwarded an aggrieved email from the man's wife to Epstein.

  • Ruemmler became Goldman Sachs' general counsel after her past relationship with Epstein.

The players

Kathy Ruemmler

The current general counsel of Goldman Sachs Group Inc. who had a past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender and disgraced financier who had a relationship with Kathy Ruemmler before she became Goldman Sachs' general counsel.

Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

A major investment bank that is grappling with the fallout from its general counsel Kathy Ruemmler's past ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the reputational risks and challenges facing major financial institutions like Goldman Sachs when their top executives have past associations with controversial figures like Jeffrey Epstein, even if those relationships pre-date their current roles.