Former Goldman Sachs top lawyer Kathryn Ruemmler is set to face questioning by the House Oversight Committee about her extensive ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking the latest development in Congress’ sweeping investigation into the late financier’s network and the institutions that maintained relationships with him.
Ruemmler, who previously served as White House counsel under President Barack Obama, agreed to testify in a closed-door transcribed interview before the committee. The hearing is part of the panel’s broader investigation into Epstein’s crimes, the federal government’s handling of his cases, and how the disgraced financier maintained influence among prominent figures across politics, finance, and business.
Justice Department documents released earlier this year revealed that Ruemmler maintained extensive communications with Epstein from 2014 to 2019, years after his 2008 guilty plea for procuring a person under the age of 18 for prostitution. The files showed that Ruemmler accepted expensive gifts from Epstein, including luxury handbags and spa treatments, and referred to him as “Uncle Jeffrey” in warm, affectionate emails. Documents also indicated that she advised him on handling media inquiries related to his crimes.
The House Oversight Committee, chaired by Republican James Comer of Kentucky, sent Ruemmler an initial request for testimony in March, citing “public reporting, documents released by the Department of Justice, and documents obtained by the Committee.” The Committee is investigating alleged mismanagement of the federal investigation into Epstein, his associate Ghislaine Maxwell, how the pair cultivated influence to protect their illegal activities, and potential ethics violations by elected officials.
Ruemmler announced her resignation from Goldman Sachs in February, effective at the end of June, following the release of documents detailing her relationship with Epstein. She had joined the firm in 2020 as global head of regulatory affairs and was promoted to chief legal officer and general counsel in 2021, holding a position on Goldman’s management committee. Following her departure from her executive role, Goldman asked her to remain with the firm in an advisory capacity while searching for a permanent successor, a decision that drew criticism from Democratic lawmakers.
Senators Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois questioned Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon’s judgment in retaining Ruemmler in an advisory role, arguing that the bank either failed to conduct proper due diligence before appointing her or had viewed her relationship with Epstein as acceptable. They questioned what Ruemmler had disclosed about Epstein before joining the firm and whether Goldman was aware of her role advising him on legal and public-relations matters.
Through her spokeswoman Jennifer Connelly, Ruemmler said she “welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee.” The statement maintained that Ruemmler was a practicing criminal defense attorney who knew Epstein through shared business interests and that she “has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part.” She asserted that she shared a client with Epstein but never formally represented him.
The questioning of Ruemmler follows a pattern of high-profile congressional testimony about Epstein’s networks. Microsoft founder Bill Gates testified in June, expressing regret about his association with Epstein and telling the committee “I should never have met with Epstein in the first place.” The committee has also interviewed former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick about their connections to the financier.
The House Oversight Committee has requested testimony from other prominent figures with Epstein ties, including Apollo Global Management co-founder Leon Black and billionaire Ted Waitt. Documents have revealed that Epstein maintained relationships with politicians, academics, business leaders, and other wealthy individuals, and that he deliberately cultivated these connections to build legitimacy and protect his criminal enterprises.
Epstein died in a New York federal jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was ruled a suicide. His longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell was convicted in 2021 of federal sex trafficking charges and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
The committee’s investigation represents one of the broadest congressional efforts to examine Epstein’s operations and the institutions and prominent people who maintained relationships with him despite his criminal history. The effort also serves to scrutinize the federal government’s investigation and prosecution of Epstein’s crimes.