Key facts
- Goldman Sachs senior counsel Kathryn Ruemmler will testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- The committee is investigating Jeffrey Epstein's crimes and his associates.
- Documents show Ruemmler accepted gifts from Epstein and had numerous communications with him between 2014 and 2019.
- Ruemmler stated she did nothing wrong and was unaware of any criminal activity by Epstein.
- Lawmakers have criticized Goldman Sachs for keeping Ruemmler in her role despite her ties to Epstein.
Kathryn Ruemmler, a senior counsel at Goldman Sachs, is scheduled to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform regarding her past ties to Jeffrey Epstein. The scrutiny follows the publication of U.S. Justice Department documents indicating Ruemmler accepted gifts from Epstein and had numerous communications with him between 2014 and 2019, even after his 2008 guilty plea.
Ruemmler, who stepped down as Goldman Sachs' chief legal officer and general counsel at the end of June, will continue in an advisory role. Her decision to remain with the firm despite her connection to the convicted sex offender has drawn criticism from some lawmakers, including Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Krishnamoorthi stated that Ruemmler's testimony is crucial to understanding how Epstein maintained his wealth and influence.
Ruemmler's spokesperson has maintained that she did nothing wrong and was unaware of any criminal activity by Epstein during their interactions when she was a practicing criminal defense attorney. Epstein, who died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, had extensive connections to many prominent individuals. The House committee's investigation into Epstein's crimes and the government's handling of his cases has included interviews with figures such as former President Bill Clinton, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates.