Ex-Obama Official Sought Epstein's Help Amid Report Suggesting She Covered Up White House Prostitution Scandal

Emails reveal Kathy Ruemmler, former White House counsel, enlisted Jeffrey Epstein to help respond to allegations she covered up an aide's prostitution scandal.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Former Obama White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler turned to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein for help responding to allegations that she helped cover up an aide's prostitution scandal, which emerged while she was under consideration to become attorney general, emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) reveal.

Why it matters

The revelations raise questions about Ruemmler's conduct during her time in the Obama administration and her subsequent private sector work, as well as the broader issue of high-level officials seeking advice from individuals with questionable ethics.

The details

The emails show that Ruemmler enlisted Epstein's help in crafting a response to a 2014 Washington Post report alleging that White House aides, including Ruemmler, failed to thoroughly investigate or publicly acknowledge evidence that a prostitute stayed overnight in an advance team volunteer's hotel room during a 2012 Colombia trip. Ruemmler left the White House in May 2014 and was working in private practice when the story broke.

  • In October 2014, the Washington Post reported on the alleged prostitution scandal involving a White House advance team member.
  • On October 9, 2014, Epstein emailed Ruemmler saying 'Doing fine. Was talking to reporters until late in the morning last night. Trying to isolate/contain wapo.'
  • On October 17, 2014, Ruemmler sent Epstein a draft response to an email from a Washington Post reporter about a 'second phase' of the story.
  • Ruemmler was still under consideration to be Obama's new attorney general when the Washington Post story broke in October 2014.
  • It was reported that Ruemmler dropped out of the race for attorney general on October 24, 2014.

The players

Kathy Ruemmler

Former Obama White House counsel who enlisted Jeffrey Epstein's help in responding to allegations that she covered up a White House prostitution scandal.

Jeffrey Epstein

Convicted sex offender who Ruemmler sought advice from in crafting her response to the allegations.

Carol D. Leonnig

Washington Post reporter who broke the original report on the alleged White House prostitution scandal.

Mark Sullivan

Then-Secret Service Director who reportedly told Ruemmler there was evidence the White House advance team member was part of the broader prostitution scandal.

Jay Carney

Then-White House press secretary who told reporters in April 2012 that a review found 'no indication of any misconduct.'

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What they’re saying

“[H]ow you doin',”

— Jeffrey Epstein (Department of Justice)

“Doing fine. Was talking to reporters until late in the morning last night. Trying to isolate/contain wapo.”

— Kathy Ruemmler, Former Obama White House counsel (Department of Justice)

“[I]mportant point,”

— Jeffrey Epstein (Department of Justice)

“The whole thing is ridiculous — they had to obtain the re=ord 'under the table' because the last thing the Hilton wanted t= do is to voluntarily give over info implicating the privacy of their gues=s. The procedure for checking in prostitutes is hardly rigorous.”

— Kathy Ruemmler, Former Obama White House counsel (Department of Justice)

“I adore him. It's like having another older brother!”

— Kathy Ruemmler, Former Obama White House counsel (Department of Justice)

What’s next

The Department of Justice is likely to continue investigating Ruemmler's conduct and her relationship with Epstein, which could have further implications for her career and reputation.

The takeaway

This case highlights the troubling connections between high-level government officials and individuals with a history of unethical behavior, as well as the potential for abuse of power and cover-ups at the highest levels of the federal government.