Goldman Sachs Executive Among Epstein's Initial Contacts After Arrest
Kathryn Ruemmler, the chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs and former White House counsel during the Obama administration, was one of the first individuals contacted by Jeffrey Epstein following his 2019 arrest, according to handwritten notes recently released by the Justice Department. The documents, part of a massive disclosure of files related to the convicted sex offender, reveal that Ruemmler received a call from Epstein at 7:15 p.m. on July 6, 2019, shortly after his apprehension at Teterboro Airport.
Immediate Response to Arrest
Law enforcement notes indicate that Epstein made only three calls after being taken into custody, with Ruemmler being among those contacted. While being transported in an FBI vehicle, Epstein was recorded expressing concern, stating, "Oh, this is bad," and "This is really bad." According to her spokesperson Jennifer Connelly, the conversation between Epstein and Ruemmler was brief, and the attorney took no further action afterward.
Ruemmler has emphasized through her representative that she never formally represented Epstein and maintained only a professional relationship with him, centered around shared clients. "She was friendly with him in that context," Connelly stated to The Wall Street Journal. "She had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal conduct on his part." Ruemmler has expressed regret over ever knowing the disgraced financier.
Documented Gifts and Communications
The released documents provide detailed evidence of Epstein's attempts to cultivate relationships through generosity. In 2016, he purchased a $9,350 Hermes handbag and $10,000 worth of Bergdorf Goodman gift cards for Ruemmler. Email correspondence from January 2019 shows Epstein's assistant informing Ruemmler about the delivery of an Apple watch she desired, to which she enthusiastically replied, "Yes!!! I got it yesterday. Love it."
The following day, Ruemmler sent another email to Epstein, exclaiming, "Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today! Jeffrey boots, handbag, and watch!" These communications highlight the extent of their interaction beyond professional boundaries.
White House Connections and Advocacy Attempts
Further emails reveal Epstein sought Ruemmler's assistance in arranging a White House tour for filmmaker Woody Allen and his wife, Soon-Yi Previn, in 2015. Epstein inquired, "Could you show soon yi the White House? I assume woody would be too politically sensitive?" Ruemmler responded that she could likely arrange a tour for both, though she expressed doubts about Epstein's own eligibility due to his 2008 guilty plea for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
In 2017 correspondence with a third party, Epstein referenced using Ruemmler to advocate on his behalf to Melinda French Gates. He described Ruemmler as "an arch feminist who is my great defender" and suggested she could present "the other side of Jeffrey" to Gates. Connelly has firmly denied these claims, stating Ruemmler "had no control over how Epstein characterized her or their interactions" and never advocated for him with any third party.
Broader Implications and Reactions
The release of these documents coincides with public statements from Melinda Gates, who addressed being mentioned in the latest batch of Epstein files during an NPR podcast appearance. Gates described the revelations as bringing back "memories of some very, very painful times" in her marriage to Bill Gates but emphasized she has moved forward. "Those questions are for those people and for even my ex-husband," she stated. "They need to answer to those things, not me."
As the Justice Department continues to release millions of pages related to Epstein's case, the documents underscore the complex web of relationships between high-profile professionals and the financier. Ruemmler's involvement, while characterized as strictly professional by her representatives, illustrates the challenges faced by individuals connected to Epstein as his complete history becomes public.
