Newly released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein case have revealed further details about the relationship between the convicted sex offender and Kathryn Ruemmler, the chief legal officer at Goldman Sachs and former White House counsel to President Barack Obama. The latest file drop shows email exchanges where Ruemmler warmly refers to Epstein as "wonderful Jeffrey" and describes him as "like having another older brother."
Christmas Day Emails Reveal European Travel Plans
The documents, released by the House Oversight Committee, include emails dated December 25 and 26, 2015. In these communications, Ruemmler discusses arranging a first-class trip to Europe using Epstein's credit card. When a redacted contact asks if the travel arrangements needed to be handled on Christmas Day, Ruemmler responded: "Merry Christmas! No, no, no – I am so sorry for the intrusion. Please enjoy the day. Jeffrey is just being wonderful Jeffrey."
On December 26, Ruemmler provided her frequent-flyer account number and preferred travel route to Geneva, Switzerland, while acknowledging uncertainty about her return date. When the redacted individual commented that Epstein was "so very kind," Ruemmler enthusiastically agreed, writing: "I know, and I never feel as if I can return the kindness adequately. I hope you are having a wonderful day."
Professional Connections and Personal Praise
Further correspondence shows Ruemmler seeking Epstein's advice on professional matters. In October 2014, she asked for his thoughts on a draft statement she was preparing as part of her consideration for the position of US Attorney General. This request came approximately three months after she left the Obama administration, according to her LinkedIn profile.
The relationship appears to have developed around the time of her departure from government service. When told that Epstein described her as "a very good friend," Ruemmler responded: "Well, I adore him. It's like having another older brother!"
Goldman Sachs Responds to Revelations
A spokesperson for Goldman Sachs told CNN that Ruemmler had been transparent about her professional relationship with Epstein. "As Kathy has repeatedly said, she had a professional relationship with Epstein," the spokesperson stated. "In fact, the plane ticket you're highlighting was in relation to a business meeting with the mutual client that Epstein referred to Latham and Watkins."
Tony Fratto, a spokesman for the investment bank, emphasized that Ruemmler had proactively disclosed her association with Epstein before joining Goldman Sachs. "The executives at Goldman who needed to know about Kathy's prior contact with Epstein knew what they needed to know," Fratto explained. He added that the firm was "satisfied" after investigating her background and that "nobody involved in Kathy's hiring had concerns about her prior legal work."
Earlier Email Exchanges Revealed
Previous document releases in November showed additional email exchanges between Ruemmler and Epstein from September 2014. In one correspondence, Epstein wrote: "You need to talk to boss." Ruemmler, who had recently left the White House, replied: "Agreed, but I need to be prepared to say yes before I talk to him."
Epstein responded with what appears to be career advice, writing: "It comes down to high risk / reward / low risk / reward. professional, emotional. and fiinancial [sic]." Ruemmler's reply – "most girls do not have to worry about this crap" – prompted Epstein to respond: "Girls? Careful i will renew an old habit."
The financier then listed prominent individuals he planned to meet that week, including Peter Thiel, Larry Summers, Bill Burns, former British prime minister Gordon Brown, Leon Black, and someone referred to as "Woody."
Context of the Epstein Case
Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a child for prostitution and served 13 months in prison. He was found dead in a New York jail cell in August 2019, one month after being indicted on federal sex trafficking charges. The latest document release includes more than 2,000 videos and 180,000 images related to the Epstein case, according to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.
Congressional Democrats, who have pushed for transparency in the Epstein case, indicate that Friday's release represents only half of the collected files. The documents were made public following the Epstein Files Transparency Act, signed into law by President Donald Trump on November 19 after what he described as a Republican "civil war" over the records.
Ruemmler's Position and Previous Statements
Kathryn Ruemmler serves as Goldman Sachs' chief legal officer, making her the bank's highest-ranking female executive. She also chairs the firm's conduct committee. Previously, she led the white-collar crime practice at elite law firm Latham and Watkins, which has stated that Epstein was never a client.
Ruemmler has publicly expressed regret about her association with Epstein. "She regrets having known Epstein and reiterated that she has never legally represented him," according to previous statements. Earlier this year, the Wall Street Journal reported that Ruemmler faced internal scrutiny at Goldman Sachs after it was revealed that Epstein knew her sushi order of avocado rolls.
The latest document release shows Ruemmler's name appearing hundreds of times in a log of emails between Epstein and his lawyers, spanning more than 500 pages. That particular batch remains under seal after Epstein's estate cited attorney-client privilege, with Ruemmler claiming she was not involved in the decision to withhold those communications.
