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Unsealed Filing Shows Former Goldman Counsel Advising Epstein, Firm Denies Representation

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Privilege Log Reveals Extensive Email Interaction The newly unsealed 513‑page privilege log filed in a civil suit against Jeffrey Epstein’s estate identifies Kathy Ruemmler, former White House counsel and Goldman Sachs general counsel, as a key adviser to Epstein during periods of heightened legal exposure and media scrutiny. The log records Ruemmler’s presence in more than 300 email threads with Epstein and documents that she personally sent at least 135 messages, indicating a sustained advisory role rather than a peripheral connection. These details suggest she was actively involved in shaping Epstein’s legal and reputational strategies across several years. [1]

Advisory Work Covered 2008 Plea Deal and Media Strategy May 2015 entry in the log cites a memorandum in which Ruemmler provided legal advice concerning Epstein’s 2008 non‑prosecution agreement and related obligations under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. The same documentation shows her drafting or editing public statements, a letter to a U.S. senator, and correspondence aimed at managing coverage by ABC News and a planned Good Morning America interview with an accuser that ultimately never aired. This evidence portrays Ruemmler as instrumental in both legal maneuvering and media management for Epstein. [1]

Goldman Sachs Refutes Formal Representation Claim Goldman Sachs spokesperson Tony Fratto told reporters that the bank’s internal records do not support the implication that Ruemmler acted as Epstein’s attorney or represented him to third parties, emphasizing she was not involved in privilege assertions. Ruemmler herself has described the relationship as limited, professional, and uncompensated, characterizing her role as one of several informal legal consultants Epstein consulted. The firm’s denial underscores a dispute over the extent of Ruemmler’s official capacity in Epstein’s affairs. [1]

Sources

Timeline

2008 – Jeffrey Epstein secures a non‑prosecution agreement (NPA) that later becomes a focal point of legal strategy discussions, later referenced in advisory memos concerning victim‑rights obligations[1].

July 2014 – May 2019 – Over 100 email exchanges and more than 50 scheduled meetings occur between Epstein and Kathy Ruemmler; Epstein repeatedly calls her “my great defender,” indicating a relationship that exceeds typical attorney‑client contact[2].

May 2015 – Ruemmler drafts a memorandum delivering legal advice on issues surrounding the 2008 NPA and the Crime Victims’ Rights Act, showing her active role in shaping Epstein’s post‑NPA strategy[1].

Mid‑2015 – Ruemmler engages in media‑management efforts, drafting a letter to ABC News and coordinating a planned Good Morning America interview with an accuser that ultimately never airs, reflecting her involvement in Epstein’s public‑relations campaign[1].

Mar 2019 – Epstein texts a draft public‑relations statement to a contact, labeling it a “Ruemmler proposal,” and uses it to counter a Washington Post editorial calling for a congressional investigation, evidencing her direct input on his messaging[2].

2019 – Ruemmler is listed as a backup executor in a revised version of Epstein’s will and appears in court at his arraignment, though she later asserts she never served in any capacity related to the estate[2].

2023 – In a Wall Street Journal interview, Ruemmler says she “regrets ever knowing” Epstein, underscoring her distancing from the former financier after years of association[2].

Dec 11, 2025 – Goldman Sachs defends Ruemmler, with CEO David Solomon calling her an “excellent lawyer” and emphasizing that her relationship with Epstein was purely professional; Ruemmler reiterates she was only informally consulted and denies any formal representation[2].

Jan 20, 2026 – An unsealed 513‑page privilege log in a civil suit against Epstein’s estate lists Ruemmler in over 300 emails (at least 135 sent by her) and details her advisory work on the 2008 NPA, media negotiations, and victim‑settlement discussions; Goldman spokesperson Tony Fratto states she never represented Epstein or advocated to third parties[1][1].

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