Emails Reveal Kathy Ruemmler's Close Ties to Jeffrey Epstein After Conviction

Gifts, luxury items, and advice on public image raise questions about Goldman Sachs' top lawyer's judgment and conflicts.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Emails obtained show that Kathy Ruemmler, the former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs, maintained a close personal relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein long after his 2008 conviction. The emails reveal Ruemmler received expensive gifts, luxury items, and even chicken soup from Epstein, going beyond a standard lawyer-client relationship. Ruemmler also advised Epstein on how to repair his public image and defend himself against new misconduct claims. The revelations have raised questions within Goldman Sachs about Ruemmler's judgment and potential conflicts of interest.

Why it matters

Ruemmler's close ties to Epstein, a convicted sex offender, raise serious concerns about her judgment and the potential conflicts of interest that may have existed while she was serving as Goldman Sachs' top lawyer. The fallout from these revelations could have significant implications for Ruemmler's career and Goldman Sachs' reputation.

The details

The emails obtained show thousands of pages of correspondence between Ruemmler and Epstein, including warm exchanges and expensive gifts such as spa treatments and luxury items. In some instances, Ruemmler even advised Epstein on how he might go about trying to repair his image and defend himself publicly against new claims of misconduct.

  • Ruemmler's resignation as Goldman Sachs' top lawyer came after the emails were revealed.
  • Epstein was convicted of sex crimes in 2008.

The players

Kathy Ruemmler

The former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs who maintained a close personal relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who had a close personal relationship with Kathy Ruemmler, the former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs.

Goldman Sachs

The investment bank where Kathy Ruemmler served as the top lawyer until her resignation following the revelations about her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“We must ensure our top executives maintain the highest standards of judgment and integrity.”

— Anonymous, Goldman Sachs employee (Internal Goldman Sachs communication)

What’s next

Goldman Sachs is expected to conduct a thorough review of Ruemmler's actions and the firm's policies regarding conflicts of interest and relationships with convicted criminals.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of financial institutions and their top executives maintaining strict ethical standards and avoiding even the appearance of impropriety, especially when it comes to relationships with individuals who have been convicted of serious crimes.