How To Read Epstein Files
Goldman Sachs' former general counsel Kathryn Ruemmler can't lawyer her way out of her emails
“Maybe the only thing worse than being called a pedophile is being called a hedge fund manager.” – Jeffrey Epstein
Poor Kathryn Ruemmler.
She says her emails with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have been taken out of context.
So what context should a more charitable audience apply to this email?
“Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today! Jeffrey boots, handbag, and w=tch!”
Or this one?
Or this one?
Her name pops up more than 9,450 times when you search the Epstein files in the Justice Department’s database, so maybe she was talking about one of her other exchanges involving the world’s most notorious creep.
Ruemmler, who held top legal posts in both the Clinton and Obama administrations before becoming general counsel of Goldman Sachs, spent six hours Wednesday defending that relationship in a closed-door interview with the House Oversight Committee.
It didn’t go so well.
“It is difficult to see how she’s being completely truthful in there with the answers she’s given the committee,” Rep. Robert Garcia of California, the top Democrat on the oversight committee, told reporters.
And then there was Rep. James Comer of Kentucky, the committee’s Republican chair:
“What’s most concerning to me in looking at the communication between Ruemmler and Epstein is how she tried and worked as hard as anyone, I would say more than anyone, in trying to rehabilitate his image after he was convicted of solicitation of a minor.”
So there you have it, Goldman Sachs fans: One of the nation’s top lawyers has just united Republicans and Democrats. And to think that just months ago she was co-vice chair of Goldman Sachs’ Firmwide Reputational Risk Committee.
Read More:
An Epstein Valentine (Business Blunders)
Networking With A Pedophile (Business Blunders)
Ruemmler's relationship with Epstein began in 2014, six years after he became a convicted sex offender. It continued until his 2019 arrest on federal sex-trafficking charges.
“I am angry that he hurt so many people,” she told the committee, “and I regret ever having anything to do with him.”
That, of course, wasn’t her tune when she was accepting extravagant gifts, tapping Epstein’s network for valuable business connections, and working to rehabilitate Epstein's image.
Goldman Sachs, however, can’t get enough of her. As her name emerged in the Epstein files last year, the firm spent months insisting she was beyond reproach.
Then when it got too hot, Ruemmler announced in February that she would step down as general counsel … but not until June 30.
Still, she remains an adviser while the bank searches for her replacement. And, according to The Wall Street Journal, she is even helping vet candidates.
Imagine having to take job interview questions from her.
“So … Tell me about your judgement.”
