Kathy Ruemmler, the top lawyer at Goldman Sachs and a White House counsel under former President Barack Obama, called Jeffrey Epstein “wonderful Jeffrey” and said “I adore him” in a December 2015 email exchange which appears to show Epstein booking and paying for her to have a first-class trip to Europe.
The email exchange, dated December 25–26, 2015, appears to show Epstein telling a redacted individual to arrange Ruemmler’s travel. The redacted individual explicitly proposed booking the f lights on Epstein’s credit card.
At the time, Ruemmler was the head of the white-collar crime practice at the law firm Latham and Watkins, which has said Epstein was never a client.
When the redacted individual asked Ruemmler if the trip needed to be organized on Christmas Day, Ruemmler replied, “Merry Christmas! No, no, no – I am so sorry for the intrusion. Please enjoy the day. Jeffrey is just being wonderful Jeffrey.”
A day later in response, Ruemmler provided her frequent-flyer number, and preferred route for an international trip to Geneva, with uncertainty about where she would return from.
When the redacted individual organizing the trip for Ruemmler replied that Epstein is “so very kind,” Ruemmler responded, “I know, and I never feel as if I can return the kindness adequately. I hope you are having a wonderful day.”
The redacted individual then told Ruemmler that Epstein considered her a “very good friend,” to which Ruemmler responded, “Well, I adore him. It’s like having another older brother!”
The December 2015 emails add to a body of past KFILE reporting that has raised questions about the nature and extent of Ruemmler’s relationship with Epstein.
As previously reported, Epstein referred to Ruemmler in a message as “my great defender,” sought her advice as he faced renewed scrutiny over his abuse of underage girls, and relied on her input while crafting responses to critical media coverage.
KFILE previously reported that Ruemmler appeared repeatedly on Epstein’s calendars for meetings, meals, and travel between 2014 and 2019, and that unsealed court records describe her providing legal advice on matters including media strategy, correspondence with lawmakers, and efforts to preserve Epstein’s controversial 2008 non-prosecution agreement.
Epstein’s estate has asserted attorney-client privilege over hundreds of emails involving Ruemmler, a claim that legal experts have said is inconsistent with the idea of a purely casual or informal relationship.
Ruemmler has said she regrets ever knowing Epstein and has denied representing him or advocating on his behalf. Goldman Sachs, where she now serves as chief legal officer, has said her relationship with Epstein was professional.
Neither Goldman Sachs nor Ruemmler immediately returned a request for comment.