Epstein Data Wiki

Kathryn Ruemmler

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tagsperson, lawyer, latham-watkins, goldman-sachs, white-house-counsel, washington
aliasesKathy Ruemmler, Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Ruemmler, Kathryn H.

49 min read

BornApril 19, 1971, Richland, Washington1
EducationB.A., University of Washington; J.D., Georgetown University Law Center, 19962
Government serviceAssociate Counsel to President Clinton; Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Columbia; deputy director, DOJ Enron Task Force; Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General, 2009–201021
White House CounselJune 20113 – May 20144
Latham & WatkinsPartner and global chair, White Collar Defense and Investigations, July 2014 – April 20204
Goldman SachsGlobal head of regulatory affairs, April 2020; chief legal officer and general counsel, March 2021 – June 30, 2026; adviser thereafter45

Kathryn H. Ruemmler (born April 19, 1971) is an American lawyer who served as White House Counsel to President Barack Obama from June 2011 to May 2014, was a partner and global chair of the white collar defence practice at Latham & Watkins from July 2014, and was chief legal officer and general counsel of Goldman Sachs from March 2021 until June 30, 2026.43 Documents released by the Department of Justice record correspondence and meetings between Ruemmler and Jeffrey Epstein from June 2014 to May 2019, including lunches, dinners and appointments at Epstein’s house at 9 East 71st Street in Manhattan, gifts bought for her by Epstein’s office, exchanges about her own career, and exchanges in 2019 about his legal position and his answers to press inquiries.6789 Three wills Epstein executed between June 2017 and January 2019 named her as a successor executor, and the trust restated in June 2017 named her as a successor trustee; the will he executed on August 8, 2019 named Boris Nikolic as successor executor in her place, and the trust instrument of the same date places Nikolic first in its chain of successor trustees, with Ruemmler still named fourth.101112131415 The released copy of the June 29, 2017 will, EFTA01266268, carries the word “REVOKED” written by hand across its first page; a second released copy of the same will, filed with the June 2017 restated trust, does not carry that marking, and neither says when the mark was made or by whom.10

Ruemmler told the House Oversight Committee in a transcribed interview on July 15, 2026 that Epstein was never her client, that he cold-called her firm in July 2014 and referred her a Swiss bank as a client, which she named on the record as the Edmond de Rothschild Bank, that she “did not see any evidence of ongoing criminal conduct or misconduct of any kind by Mr. Epstein during the time I dealt with him,” and that “it was a mistake to deal with him, and I regret it.”161718 She announced on February 12, 2026 that she would step down from her Goldman Sachs roles, saying, in an interview with the Financial Times reported by NBC News, that “the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defence attorney, was becoming a distraction.”195

Career

Ruemmler clerked on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit after law school, worked at a Washington litigation boutique, and served as Associate Counsel to President Clinton.2 She then joined Latham & Watkins briefly before becoming an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Columbia, and spent close to four years on detail at Main Justice working on the investigation and prosecution of Enron executives.24 She returned to Latham & Watkins as a partner in white-collar defence for two years, then re-entered government in January 2009 as Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General.4 She moved to the White House in 2010 as Principal Deputy White House Counsel, was appointed White House Counsel in June 2011, and left in May 2014.43 She returned to Latham & Watkins in July 2014 as global chair of the firm’s White Collar Defense and Investigations practice, joined Goldman Sachs in April 2020 as global head of regulatory affairs, and was promoted to chief legal officer and general counsel in March 2021.4

Introduction and the first meetings, 2013–2014

On December 6, 2013 Epstein sent Brad Karp, the chairman of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, a numbered list beginning “1. Hope you can convince Kathy Ruemmler”; Karp replied at 12:26 that afternoon in short separate lines, “Thanks, Jeffrey.” and then “Still working on 1.”, answering Epstein’s own numbered item 1, and “2 is compelling and we’re working on 3.”20 Ruemmler was then White House Counsel.4 Asked whether Karp had introduced Epstein to her, she told the Committee, “If Mr. Karp had recommended me in some way, shape or form, I didn’t know that.”21 She said her own understanding was that Epstein “tried to make himself relevant by talking to Mr. Karp about recruiting me to leave Latham and go to Paul Weiss.”21

On June 23, 2014 Epstein’s assistant Lesley Groff wrote to Epstein, “Please call Kathy Ruemmler on her cell”22. That evening Epstein wrote to Bill Gates and to Gates’s adviser Larry Cohen: “Ive asked kathy Ruemmler to play point on getting p[e]ople and structure together, she is smart, meilinda i think will li[k]e her, and she is well respected by the various relevant regulatory [b]odies ,, Irs , sec. justice etc.”6 Three days later, Epstein wrote to Gates that he was “surprised that there has been no word from your side on progress of daf structure” and that he had “cathy ruemmler on board, boris, terje.”23 Ruemmler told the Committee that Epstein cold-called Latham & Watkins in July 2014, before she had formally started at the firm, and told her that “he was working with Bill Gates to set up a large donor-advised fund” and needed a lawyer “to quarterback the myriad legal issues involved”;17 she said the fund “ultimately did not materialize.”17 She said she had never heard of Epstein before that call and that her first meeting with him was “the Friday before I started at the firm on a Monday.”24 No statement from her about the June 23 and June 26 emails is recorded on this page as read on September 25, 2026; she was not asked about them in the interview.25

Epstein’s office scheduled a lunch with Ruemmler at 1pm on Friday, July 11, 2014, and his schedules record further lunches with her on July 18 and July 31.72627 On July 28, 2014 Epstein wrote to Ruemmler and Groff, “the Rothscild lawyer is coming today at 4 to d[e]scribe to me their corportate structure balance sheet cash flow legal . =A0 if you like you are welcome to sit in”28 Ruemmler told the Committee that within weeks of meeting Epstein he referred her a client, “a Swiss bank that, like every other Swiss bank, had a problem with the U.S. Justice Department,” which she named on the record as the Edmond de Rothschild Bank, that Epstein was “in a primary advisory role with that client” throughout her time in private practice, and that she represented the bank until she left the firm in 2020.18 She said she did not remember the specific amount for that representation and that “My best recollection is that it was the single-digit millions.”29 She said Epstein referred her three or four other clients over the years, among them a civil dispute for Apollo, which she could not take because of a conflict at her firm.30 Asked whether she had ever been formally retained as a lawyer for Epstein or had signed any agreement to provide him legal services, Ruemmler answered “No” to each.31

Meetings and dinners

Epstein’s daily schedules and his assistants’ emails record recurring appointments with Ruemmler between July 2014 and 2019, several of them at his house at 9 East 71st Street.7323334 On September 11, 2014 Groff told household staff, “Kathy Ruemmler will come at 11am,” and said a staff member would need to help with food and bring it to the house.32 On September 10, 2014 Epstein sent Peter Thiel a proposed weekend schedule that included “730 woody and kathy ruemmler for dinner ( again you can bring guest/s if you choose),” and the schedule his office circulated for Saturday, September 13 records “7:00pm DINNER w/Woody Allen, Soon Yi, Kathy Ruemmler, and MAYBE Peter Thiel”3536. A parallel schedule for the same day gives the entry as “7:00pm DINNER w/Woody Allen (JE to invite Kathy Ruemmler and Peter Thiel to dinner)”37. The dinner went ahead without her. At 11:30 that night Epstein wrote to her, “sorry you missed it, peter will not make=it tomorw we just finished, I thought you understood that thou[g]h we decided that cass and sam couldnt come , it did not eliminate y[o]ur invitation my fault”; she replied at 12:18 a.m., “No worries at all… Look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”38 On September 12 Epstein’s office asked him about names for a lunch on September 14 with former Senator Bob Kerrey: “We told him Peter Thiel (Kathy Ruemmler and Cass are attending as well)”3940. On September 18, 2014 Ruemmler was asked, “Might you be available to come see Jeffrey and Ehud Barak at 1pm on Tues Sept 23rd. Please let me know.”; she replied, “Yes. I can do Tuesday. Thanks! Kathy.”41 A search of Epstein’s circulated schedules and his staff’s emails for the days around September 23, 2014, for the terms “Ruemmler,” “Kathy” and “Barak,” found no confirmation that the meeting occurred, and the two cited sheets were re-read at the image on September 25, 2026 and neither records it; a schedule Epstein’s office circulated for Thursday, September 25 still listed Barak as TBD, with a note that “Kathy Ruemmler is in NY and would love to join”42. On September 24, 2014 Epstein wrote to Joshua Cooper Ramo, “thorborn jagland . kathy ruemmler for lunch tomorw , want to join?”; the schedule for the following day lists a 1pm lunch with Thorbjoern Jagland.4344

Later appointments include a 4:30pm appointment on October 13, 2015, on a day whose schedule also records a 7:30pm dinner with Woody and Soon Yi, an appointment on October 15, 2016, an appointment with Ariane de Rothschild on March 4, 2018, an appointment with Brad Karp on June 8, 2018, and an appointment on July 12, 2018 that Epstein recorded as “ruemmler 5 starr 530 diinner with woody a starr 630. leave house 830. wheels up 930,” and a further appointment is recorded at 3pm on April 5, 2019, “w/Kathy Ruemmler and Steve Bannon”453346474834. Asked whether she had socialised with Epstein in any context other than the meetings at his house, Ruemmler told the Committee, “No.”49 She said she had never travelled with Epstein, had never been to Little St. James, Great St. James, the New Mexico ranch or his Palm Beach house, and had visited his Paris apartment once, for a lunch meeting there with Epstein and Ms. de Rothschild.50

In October 2016 Epstein’s office booked Ruemmler a car to travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands on Friday, October 14.51 She cancelled on October 12: “I so sorry to do this, but I cannot play hooky to the USVI on Friday after all. I just got a new case that is consuming my life, and the client has filled up Friday with conference calls.”51 Groff replied that she would “cancel the ticket and car and cross my fingers you can make it another time,” and Ruemmler wrote, “I have to get down there sometime!!! I’ll be in NY this weekend so will try to visit Jeffrey at some point.”51 Epstein’s schedule for Saturday, October 15, 2016 records a 3:30pm appointment with her.33 Asked directly whether she had been to Little St. James, she told the Committee, “No.”50

Consideration for Attorney General, 2014

After Attorney General Eric Holder announced his resignation in September 2014, press reports named Ruemmler as a possible successor.52 On September 26, 2014 Epstein forwarded one such report to Ariane de Rothschild and, separately, to Jes Staley, who replied, “I saw that.”5354 Epstein sent Ruemmler a Bloomberg link about the speculation on the evening of October 14, 2014, at 8:20 PM;55 just after midnight, at 12:11 AM on October 15, she sent it back to him under the subject line “Obama Favoring Former White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler to Succeed Holder as Attorney General - Bloomberg”5657. Later that morning Epstein replied with what he called concrete suggestions for moving forward: hiring a video coach, because “you need to be trained”; correcting her hand movement, head tilting, nodding and blinking; getting the right glasses; and having her office film “the ford pr[e]sentation” for review.55 Ruemmler answered, “Would a man need a video coach???”55 She told the Committee that this exchange was an example of Epstein “mansplaining to me on something that he literally knows absolutely nothing about,” and that her reply was “calling him out on the mansplaining.”57

On October 23, 2014 Ruemmler sent Epstein a draft statement under the message “Draft statement. Thoughts?”; the draft began, “I have always considered the Department of=Justice my professional home, and while I am deeply honored to be consider[e]d a candidate for Attorney General, I have informed the President that I m[u]st decline his further consideration.”58 Epstein replied, “I think words like ’ i believe ’ =A0 is important. to soften the conclusion. and AG of the UNITE[D] STATES isbest for internatail news reports” and sent back a rewritten version under the subject “edit two”5859. Ruemmler answered, “My PR guru advises not to make an on-the-record statement but to have the sentiment captured here set forth on background from a source close to me. I think that is the right approach.”59 Epstein then wrote, “i trust your judgment, not my area as we know.. I have=put you on the wait list for first class tomorow my treat. . so=far its sold out. but fingers crossed.”; she replied, “You are so thoughtful. Thank you=”60.

Asked whether it was odd to send a draft statement declining the office to a man she had met three months earlier, Ruemmler told the Committee that Epstein was “the primary adviser to the client” that had just retained her, that she was in Geneva with that client when she informed the President, that the speculation about the nomination “was all over the press,” and that she wanted Epstein “informed in what was going to happen.”61 She said she ultimately did not issue a statement and that “the White House issued a statement.”62 NBC News reported on October 24, 2014 that Ruemmler had withdrawn her name from consideration, and quoted White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough: “Kathy is someone who always tells it like it is, is a world-class lawyer, and remains a trusted advisor to the President.”52

Gifts, travel and expenses

Epstein’s office bought Ruemmler gifts and arranged travel for her from 2014 onward.63864 On April 22, 2015 she wrote to a member of his staff, “I absolutely love the handbag.”65 On August 28, 2016 Hermès acknowledged an order shipped to “Ms. Kathy Ruemmler” for “1 x Jypsiere 31 bag” at $9,350, with a total of $9,400; Epstein’s office forwarded the acknowledgement to him that evening under the note “Confirm for Hermes bag for Kathy!”63 On April 17, 2017 Groff instructed a member of staff, “Can you go purchase this purse for Kathy? it should be at the Bloomingdales on 59th in New York City …have them gift wrap it,” forwarding an email from Epstein.66 On August 13, 2018 Epstein’s office chased a shipment: “We ordered a Fendi Coat and Bag for Kathy Ruemmler … Total of order is $6790.00. Jeffrey Epstein purchased these items as gifts for Kathy…”8 On October 25, 2018 Ruemmler wrote to Epstein, “Wearing my new Fendi coat today! The tailor did a beautiful job on the hem.”67 On December 4, 2018 Epstein’s office ordered an Apple Watch Hermès for her through HBRK Associates Inc., and told her on December 10, “your watch order has been acknowledged…but still pending to ship…”68 On January 4, 2019 she wrote to Epstein, “Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today! Jeffrey boots, handbag, and w[a]tch!”69 Epstein replied, “yay”70.

Ruemmler told the Committee that she did not ask for the gifts, “didn’t view them as particularly personal or consequential,” accepted them “graciously, as I saw no reason not to,” declined some of them, and that “nothing he gave me caused me to deal with him any differently than I otherwise would have.”71 She said the largest gift he offered was a jet card with a face value of $50,000, offered as a birthday gift in April 2019, which she declined as “excessive.”7273

Epstein offered her seats on his own aircraft on more than one occasion.7475 On August 12, 2014 he wrote, “Im going to wash wheels up from tet on thurs 21 st morning at 715 am, return later in day, into national you are welcome to ride along. if you choose to , we will need passport info , as we land at national”; she answered, “Ok…will figure out my schedule.”74 On July 2, 2015 he emailed Ruemmler and A. de Rothschild the message “I will need passport info for charter”, and the following day his pilot asked a colleague for Ruemmler’s passport details, noting “JE taking charter plane to Geneva on Sunday”7576. On June 26, 2018 Epstein wrote, “no drinking . take shower before meeting=C2 . dont go straight from airport , if y=u want i will charter a plane for you to go in comfort.”77 She replied, “I’m not going to dr[i]nk — are you nuts??? No charter plane necessary, but thank yo[u].”78 Ruemmler told the Committee that she declined a flight to Paris on Epstein’s plane because “I didn’t want to sit on a plane and talk to him for 8 hours,” and that she had never travelled on any aircraft with him.3150

In December 2015 Epstein’s office arranged and paid for Ruemmler’s commercial travel to Geneva, offering to “book for you on Jeffrey’s CC” and reporting the same day, “I have purchased your ticket…we did a round trip”; Ruemmler replied, “Amazing! Thank you!”6479 The return ticket was being reissued as of January 1, 2016.80 On Christmas Day 2015 Groff wrote to Ruemmler that Epstein “considers you a very good friend. That is all he wants!”; Ruemmler replied, “Well, I adore him. It’s like having another older brother!”81 Ruemmler told the Committee that she used the phrase in thanking Epstein’s assistant for a flight upgrade to Geneva, saying that, “if I’m recalling this email correctly,” it came at a point when she had “only known him for a couple of months,” and that “I didn’t need any of these things from him.”82 By her own account she first met Epstein in mid-July 2014; the December 25, 2015 email was written seventeen months later.812457

Ruemmler told the Committee that the term “Uncle Jeffrey” was a joke at Epstein’s expense, aimed at a man who “was extremely arrogant. He was a mansplainer. He was pushy. He was avuncular.”49 Asked whether her relationship with Epstein had ever been romantic or sexual, she answered, “Absolutely not” to each.83

On June 11, 2016 Epstein wrote to Ruemmler about a possible position for her at the hedge fund Citadel, telling her he could negotiate on her behalf and, after she deflected, that its chief executive, Griffin, “might just be interested in a woman”; she replied, “I ain’t no affirmative action,” and, after Epstein wrote “i meant romantically,” asked, “Oh, Jesus — meaning you are going t[o] trade one of your Russians for my comp?!!”84 She told the Committee that the approach had come from “the soon-to-be retiring chief legal officer of Citadel,” that she “didn’t know anything about Citadel,” and that “in typical Epstein fashion, he immediately jumps in to, I can negotiate your compensation… I didn’t ask him.”85 On September 7, 2016 she separately wrote to Epstein, “=I am getting my haircut today, which is good, and am going to Citadel this a[f]ternoon because uncle Jeffrey told me that I need to stop being passive.&nb=p;”86 On March 31, 2016 Ruemmler sent Epstein a Wall Street Journal article about a Malaysian leader’s spending; he replied that the question was “who is complaining” and “is there a real victim,” that if a[n]yone had received money “only as a gift” it would not be money laundering under U.S. law because “the money must come from the proceeds of a crime to be chara[c]terized as such,” and that on that reasoning “Goldman was the only [c]ulpable institution of wrongdoing.” In a separate message the same day, Ruemmler wrote, “Report today that US has sought extradition of guy from Abu Dhabi”; Epstein replied that a bribe “[n]eeds quid pro,” that it was “not directly PM of malaysia,” that “the amount of overall investigation it says is 5 B,” and that there was oil-company “shenanigans.”87 Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs four years after this exchange; the released messages record her sending the article and one further message of her own, and no response from her to Epstein’s view of Goldman’s culpability is recorded on this page as read on September 25, 2026.8725 On July 9, 2017 Epstein asked whether the two of them could have a coffee or a meal with John Brennan; Ruemmler replied, “That would be fun. I t[h]ink he will be scared off b/c of your google history.”88 Asked when she became aware of Epstein’s conviction, she told the Committee that she learned in or around July 2014 that he had pleaded guilty to two prostitution-related offences, including solicitation of a minor.89

On January 24, 2018 Epstein wrote to Ruemmler that Senator Chuck Schumer was “driving the puerto rico . virgin islands relief=bill” and that the Virgin Islands delegate to Congress, Stacey Plaskett, “h[a]s not been able to get a meeting.” He added “confirmed with him.” and asked, “ca[n] you help?”90 Ruemmler replied, “I do not have any relations[h]ip with him, but let me see whether I can get to his COS.”91 No statement from Ruemmler about that exchange is recorded on this page as read on September 25, 2026; she was not asked about it in the interview.25

On December 16, 2018 Ruemmler emailed Epstein “My edited version,” her edit of a draft article by Kenneth Starr; Epstein forwarded it to Kenneth Starr that evening.92 She told the Committee that the draft “had been drafted by one of Mr. Epstein’s lawyers,” of whom “I was not one”; that she “was asked just to read it and give my thoughts for, sort of, tone and style”; and, asked whether she was trying to change the public’s perception of Epstein in the document, she answered, “No.”93 In 2019, as Epstein litigated over the 2007 non-prosecution agreement and faced press scrutiny, he circulated drafts and questions to Ruemmler alongside members of his defence team.94995 On March 2, 2019 he replied to a draft Darren Indyke had sent, copying Kenneth Starr and Ruemmler: “i think too long for an op ed. better si[g]ned by defense team , laying out position”94. On March 3, 2019 Brad Karp emailed Epstein that a draft court filing was “in great shape” and “overwhelmingly persuasive”; Epstein forwarded that message the same morning to Ruemmler, his criminal defence lawyer Martin Weinberg and Indyke.95

On March 7, 2019, at 1:37 in the morning, Epstein forwarded Ruemmler a question under the subject line “From wapo”, asking how he responded to the criticism that he had received special treatment and a light punishment because of his wealth and political connections, under the message ”?? Thoughts?” The sheet does not say who put the question to him or in what form.96 She replied at 7:22 with drafted language she introduced with her own two words, “Something like:”, and which began, “The criticism is wrong and reflects a fundamental misunderst[a]nding of both the facts underlying Mr. Epstein’s case and how it w[a]s prosecuted by both local and federal authorities.”9 The draft went on to call the federal investigation lengthy, aggressive and highly unusual for what were “in essence, local [o]ffenses of sexual solicitation,” to say that Epstein had accepted responsibility, served a sentence and paid settlements to the victims involved, and, in a bracketed passage, to argue that his wealth had brought him harsher treatment from federal prosecutors and from the media rather than lighter.9 She added, “Not sure about the bracketed language. =A0 It is true of course, but as you say, akin to a luxury tax. Would=be interested in what others think.”9 Epstein forwarded her draft to Indyke at 12:44 that afternoon.97 No statement from Ruemmler about this March 2019 draft specifically is recorded on this page as read on September 25, 2026; it was not put to her in the interview, though she was separately questioned about editing a December 2018 media-response draft for Epstein, above.25 Asked more generally about 2019 emails in which she and Karp gave Epstein legal views, she told the Committee that Epstein “shopped around” for opinions, asking in turn each of the lawyers he knew what they thought, and that this was her observation of how he dealt with them.98

Epstein’s office circulated a guest list for a dinner on the evening of May 6, 2019 that named Ruemmler along with Woody, Soon Yi, Marvin Putnam and Steve Bannon.99 The schedule for the following morning listed “9:30am Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler and Marvin Putnam,” but the top of the same page carries Epstein’s own message of the previous morning reporting “no kathy toorrw.”100 Ruemmler told the Committee that she and Putnam did meet with Epstein on that trip, over a referral: the lawyer Michael Avenatti had tweeted that a client of his intended to sue Epstein, Epstein asked her for a referral, and she suggested Putnam, who had dealt with Avenatti; of the threatened suit she said “That never happened” and “in any event, it didn’t come to pass.”101102 She said she had “no knowledge of any investigation of Mr. Epstein in that time frame.”103 On May 14, 2019 Epstein emailed a shared-folder link to Indyke, Richard Kahn, Karyna Shuliak and Ruemmler.104 Ruemmler told the Committee that her communication with Epstein ended in July 2019, after he was indicted.71

A member of the Committee put to her a 2026 Miami Herald report that she had worked with Steve Bannon and others in 2018 and 2019 to counter the public narrative forming against Epstein after the Herald’s “Perversion of Justice” series.105 Ruemmler answered, “I didn’t do any work with Mr. Bannon. Mr. Bannon was someone who I met on one or two occasions at business meetings, and I didn’t work with him on anything.”105 Asked why Epstein had written to Bannon in August 2018, “Your girlfriend Ruemmler is coming over,” she said, “Lord knows. I have no idea.”106

Epstein’s wills and the 2017 trust

Epstein executed a will on June 29, 2017 appointing Indyke, Kahn and Terje Rød-Larsen as Executors and naming Eva Andersson Dubin, then Ruemmler, then Stephen Hanson as successor Executors.10 That will directs the Executor to pay from the estate “as compensation to each Executor for serving as Executor hereunder, the sum of Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000) to each Executor upon the completion of probate of my estate.” It adds that “No Executor shall receive any other compensation for serving as Executor hereunder”; Ruemmler was named only as a successor and never served.10107 The released copy of this will, EFTA01266268, carries the word “REVOKED” written by hand across its first page; a second released copy of the same will, filed with the June 2017 restated trust, does not carry that marking, and neither says when the mark was made or by whom.10 The Amendment and Restatement of the Jeffrey E. Epstein 2017 Trust, dated the same month, provided that if a vacancy arose among the trustees “KATHRYN RUEMMLER shall first be appointed to fill any vacancy…” after Andersson Dubin.13 Wills executed on May 8, 2018 and January 18, 2019 each appointed Indyke and Kahn as Executors and provided, “If any one or more of my Executors fails to qualify, is unable or unwilling to serve or ceases to act, I appoint KATHRYN H. RUEMMLER, as successor Executor.”1112 Each of those instruments carries an execution clause, an attestation and a notarial certificate; the January 2019 will was sworn before a notary in Palm Beach County, Florida on January 18, 2019.12 The will Epstein executed on August 8, 2019, two days before his death and the one filed for probate, appoints Indyke and Kahn with Boris Nikolic as successor Executor and revokes all prior wills.15

Two further trust instruments in the released files name her. The Jeffrey E. Epstein 2018 Trust, dated May 8, 2018, the same day as that year’s will, names Epstein as Grantor and names as Trustees “DARREN K. INDYKE, RICHARD D. KAHN, and KATHERYN H. RUEMMLER”, her forename spelled as printed on the instrument.108 The 1953 Trust, “made as of August 8, 2019”, names Indyke and Kahn as Trustees and sets out a chain of successor trustees in which “BORIS NIKOLIC shall be appointed to fill any such vacancy,” followed by Barnaby Marsh, then Anthony Barrett, then “KATHY REUMMLER”, again as printed.14 Both instruments provide that the appointment of a successor trustee “shall become effective when such successor Trustee signs an acceptance of the trust.”10814 Nothing on this page records that Ruemmler acted under either instrument, and she told the Committee she had done nothing in connection with the estate.107

Ruemmler told the Committee that she was “a backup executor on a draft, a draft will,” that she did not know why she had been named, and, asked whether she had ever been informed of her designation into that last will and testament, she answered, “I don’t believe so.”109 Asked whether she had consented to it, she answered, “I didn’t know about it.”107 She said she “was surprised when I saw the document when it was released.”107 Asked to speculate why Epstein had named her, she said, “My only speculation is that I’m a lawyer and, I think, someone who he believed to be an honest person.”107 She said she had done nothing in connection with the estate.107

An internal Department of Justice email thread of January 16 to 17, 2020, in which prosecutors noted receiving from the trustees “an additional eight prior wills, going back to 2001,” records one participant writing: “I did a quick google search to see if I could find any connection between Ruemmler and Epstein and came up empty. It’s an odd choice. Somewhat less odd, although equally notable, is Larry Summers.”110

Career advice and the move to Goldman Sachs

Epstein took an interest in Ruemmler’s employment.111112113 On December 26, 2015 he wrote to her, “we should talk about you wor[k]ing full time for the bank? or in a different role at least.”111 In August 2017 he wrote, “ill set aside time on the 12 and or 13th for goldman prep…” and asked her that month, “no date for goldman=yet?”; she answered, “No. They don’t seem s[u]per eager.”112114 On December 20, 2017 Ruemmler wrote to him, “I totally called it! Goldman picked Karen Seymour from Sullivan & Cromwell,=which I predicted from the very beginning.”115 On October 15, 2017 Epstein sent her a draft of how, in his view, Goldman’s chief executive should address the reporting then emerging about Harvey Weinstein.116 Separately, Ruemmler told the Committee that in an email she called Epstein “sweetie,” replying, she said, to a message in which he had compared his own conduct favourably with Weinstein’s; she said she used the word “in a patronizing way” to tell him “your conduct involved abuse of power too.”117 The Committee did not put a specific document to her for that exchange, and no email matching her description is identified on this page.

In March and April 2019 Ruemmler reported to Epstein on parallel job negotiations with Google and with Goldman Sachs, and he advised her on titles and compensation.118119113120 On April 9, 2019 she wrote that a call with Google’s general counsel “went as I predicted. Will not give me SVP title.”118 On April 4, 2019 she forwarded him a message from John Waldron of Goldman Sachs: “I really enjoyed our time together this week. Selfishly I am root[i]ng for you to say no to the other opportunity so we have time to design som[e]thing compelling for you. We would benefit enormously from having yo[u] at Goldman Sachs.”113 On April 9, 2019 she forwarded a further message from Waldron reporting that the firm’s leadership was “unified in wanting to make something work in short order,” and asked Epstein, “What to do about this o[n]e???”; he replied, “Same . Be pro”120. Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs in April 2020.4

Asked directly whether Epstein had helped her obtain her position at Goldman Sachs in 2020, Ruemmler told the Committee, “No, he did not.”121 She said that a separate approach from Facebook had had nothing to do with him, that she had “made the mistake, I think, of mentioning it to Mr. Epstein,” and that he had then “wanted to make himself relevant” by offering suggestions on negotiations.122 She said she disclosed to Goldman Sachs before accepting its offer that she knew Epstein, and that she was told no one at the firm had volunteered such a disclosure before.123

Disclosure, resignation and congressional interview, 2023–2026

Ruemmler told the Committee that questions about her dealings with Epstein were raised internally at Goldman Sachs after the Wall Street Journal published a report at the end of April 2023 based on Epstein’s calendars, and that reviews were carried out in 2023, 2025 and 2026.124125

After the House Oversight Committee released Epstein estate records in November 2025, CNBC reported on November 13, 2025 that Goldman Sachs was standing by Ruemmler, quoting the firm’s spokesman Tony Fratto: “These emails were private correspondence well before Kathy Ruemmler joined Goldman Sachs.”126 Following the Justice Department’s release of investigative files, Ruemmler announced on February 12, 2026 that she would step down as chief legal officer and general counsel effective June 30, 2026, and remained at the firm as an adviser.1954 NBC News reported her statement to the Financial Times that “the media attention on me, relating to my prior work as a defence attorney, was becoming a distraction,” and reported a spokeswoman’s statement to the Wall Street Journal that she had known Epstein when she was a criminal defence attorney and had shared a client with him.19 The Associated Press reported that Goldman’s chief executive David Solomon said, “I accepted her resignation, and I respect her decision,” and that a spokesperson said she “regrets ever knowing him.”5

The House Oversight Committee interviewed Ruemmler under its rule X authority on July 15, 2026 and released the transcript on July 29, 2026.127128 Committee counsel opened by thanking her “for appearing here voluntarily today,” and returned to the point later: “Although you are here voluntarily, you are required by law pursuant to Title 18 of the United States Code, section 1001, to answer questions from Congress truthfully.”127129 She appeared with outside counsel from two firms, Arnold & Porter and Liu Shur Kravis, identified on the record.127130 In her opening statement she said that “if I had seen or heard any evidence suggesting that he was abusing women or girls, I would have immediately reported him to law enforcement.”16 She said that Epstein had told her that “while a small number of the women he had solicited for prostitution turned out to be under the age of consent, he had not known that any of them were underage,” that he had described his conduct as “paying money for sex to women he believed to be over the age of 18,” and that he had given her a 2008 letter from one of his lawyers to the Deputy Attorney General’s office stating that investigators had found he sought commercial sex only from adults.17131 She said that “Epstein was a masterful liar, and he clearly lied to me,” that “I can see now that he used me and other respectable people to legitimize his standing,” and that “I am angry that he hurt so many people, and I regret ever having anything to do with him.”71 She said that many of her emails “have been taken out of context, or do not mean what some have speculated or suggested.”71

Members of the Committee disputed that account.132 As reported on July 15, 2026, the ranking member, Robert Garcia, said, after Democrats on the Committee emerged from the first several hours of questioning while the interview was still underway, “It is difficult to see how she’s being completely truthful in there with the answers she’s given the committee”; Chairman James Comer told reporters that day that the most concerning part of Ruemmler’s communications with Epstein was how she “tried to rehabilitate his image after he was convicted of solicitation of a minor.”132 Ruemmler is not recorded as having answered either man directly. On the charge Comer made, the transcript of the interview conducted that same day carries her answer: asked whether she had been trying to change the public’s perception of Epstein in a draft media response she had edited for him in December 2018, she answered, “No,” and said she had been asked only “to read it and give my thoughts for, sort of, tone and style”; her account of that document is set out above.93 As read on September 25, 2026, no further response from her to Garcia or Comer is recorded on this page.132

Timeline

DateEventSource
Dec 6, 2013Epstein to Brad Karp: “1. Hope you can convince Kathy Ruemmler”20
Jun 23, 2014Epstein to Bill Gates: “Ive asked kathy Ruemmler to play point”6
Jul 11, 2014Lunch with Ruemmler at 1pm on Epstein’s schedule7
Sep 13, 2014Dinner with Woody Allen and Soon Yi scheduled; she missed it3638
Sep 18, 2014Invited to meet Epstein and Ehud Barak on Sep 23; accepted the same evening41
Oct 15, 2014Epstein’s “video coach” advice; “Would a man need a video coach???”55
Oct 23, 2014Draft statement declining the Attorney General nomination sent to Epstein58
Dec 25, 2015”I adore him. It’s like having another older brother!”81
Aug 28, 2016Hermès bag ordered for her, $9,40063
Oct 12–15, 2016USVI trip cancelled; schedule records a New York appointment5133
Jun 29, 2017Will names her second successor Executor; 2017 trust names her successor trustee1013
Jul 9, 2017”I t[h]ink he will be scared off b/c of your google history”88
Jan 24, 2018Epstein asks her to help obtain a meeting with Senator Schumer9091
May 8, 2018Will names her sole successor Executor11
Aug 13, 2018Fendi coat and bag, $6,790, bought as gifts8
Jan 4, 2019”Am totally tricked out by Uncle Jeffrey today!”69
Jan 18, 2019Will names her sole successor Executor12
Mar 3, 2019Karp’s assessment of a draft filing forwarded to her95
Mar 7, 2019Drafts an answer to a Washington Post question for Epstein9
Apr 4–9, 2019Forwards Goldman Sachs recruiting messages to Epstein113120
May 6–7, 2019Dinner guest list; 9:30am appointment scheduled with Ruemmler and Marvin Putnam, which she testified took place99100101
Aug 8, 2019Final will names Boris Nikolic in her place15
Feb 12, 2026Announces departure from Goldman Sachs19
Jul 15, 2026Transcribed interview, House Oversight Committee128

Footnotes

  1. Wikipedia, “Kathryn Ruemmler.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kathryn_Ruemmler ↩ ↩2

  2. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.14–15. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  3. The White House, Office of the Press Secretary, “President Obama Announces New White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler,” June 2, 2011. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/realitycheck/the-press-office/2011/06/02/president-obama-announces-new-white-house-counsel-kathryn-ruemmler ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  4. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.15. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10 ↩11

  5. Associated Press, carried by PBS NewsHour, “Goldman Sachs top lawyer Kathy Ruemmler to resign after emails show close ties to Jeffrey Epstein,” February 13, 2026. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/goldman-sachs-top-lawyer-kathy-ruemmler-to-resign-after-emails-show-close-ties-to-jeffrey-epstein ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  6. Epstein to Bill Gates and Larry Cohen, June 23, 2014; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02585011 — This email, and the ones cited below at 28, 38, 55, 58, 59, 86, 84, 90, 9, 114, 113, 47, 111, 88, 77, 91, 94, 60, 115, 69, 120 and 87, carry quoted-printable transmission damage in the print itself, not only in the corpus’s machine reading. Where the print loses a single character, it is supplied here in square brackets; where the print carries a longer artefact (a stray “=A0” or ”=” code, a run-together word, a repeated punctuation mark), the artefact is quoted exactly as printed rather than silently repaired. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  7. Lesley Groff to Epstein, June 30, 2014: “Kathy Ruemmler will come see your for lunch at 1pm on Friday July 11th”; the email states no venue. Read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02712748 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  8. Epstein’s office to a supplier, Aug 13, 2018. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02253382 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  9. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Mar 7, 2019, 12:34 pm, quoting her message of 7:22 am in the same thread; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02631430 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7

  10. Last Will and Testament of Jeffrey E. Epstein, executed June 29, 2017. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01266268 pp.1, 10 (p.1 of this copy carries the handwritten word “REVOKED” across the page); second copy with the June 2017 restated trust, which does not carry that marking, at https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00811602 pp.1, 11. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  11. Last Will and Testament of Jeffrey E. Epstein, executed May 8, 2018, pp.1, 9. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01266278 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  12. Last Will and Testament of Jeffrey E. Epstein, executed January 18, 2019, pp.1, 10 (attestation and notarial certificate). https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01266288 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  13. Amendment and Restatement of the Jeffrey E. Epstein 2017 Trust, dated June 2017, Article VII, Section 7.1. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00811602 p.28. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  14. The 1953 Trust, trust agreement “made as of August 8, 2019,” restating The Jeffrey E. Epstein 2019 Trust of January 18, 2019; read from the page image at 500 dpi (p.1, the parties) and 700 dpi (p.25, Article VI, Sections 6.1 and 6.2). https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00099303 pp.1, 25. A second copy of the same instrument is at https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01266204 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  15. Petition for Probate and for Letters Testamentary, Superior Court of the Virgin Islands, with the will executed August 8, 2019 attached. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00027979 pp.1, 11. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  16. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.10 (opening statement). https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  17. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.11. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  18. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.22–23. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  19. NBC News, Steve Kopack, “Top Goldman Sachs lawyer to leave firm amid Epstein files fallout,” February 12, 2026, reporting Ruemmler’s statement to the Financial Times and her spokeswoman’s statement to the Wall Street Journal. https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/kathy-ruemmler-leaves-goldman-sachs-epstein-files-fallout-rcna258862 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  20. Epstein to Brad Karp, Dec 6, 2013, 06:54 AM, and Karp’s reply the same day at 12:26:44 PM; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01752843 ↩ ↩2

  21. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.119–121. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  22. Lesley Groff to Epstein, June 23, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02345507 ↩

  23. Epstein to Bill Gates, June 26, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00992684 ↩

  24. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.18. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  25. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, read in full; the matter is not raised at any point in the interview. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  26. Lesley Groff to Epstein, July 15, 2014, and the schedule for July 18, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02387353 ↩

  27. Schedule for July 31, 2014, “12:30pm LUNCH w/Kathy Ruemmler.” https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02387302 ↩

  28. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler and Lesley Groff, July 28, 2014; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02586654 ↩ ↩2

  29. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.113. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  30. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.23. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  31. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.90–91. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  32. Lesley Groff to household staff, “Kathy Ruemmler 11am,” Sept 11, 2014; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02098342 ↩ ↩2

  33. Lesley Groff, schedule for Oct 15, 2016: “3:30pm Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler.” https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02191235 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  34. Lesley Groff and Epstein, Apr 3–4, 2019, with the schedule for Friday, April 5, 2019: “3:00pm Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler and Steve Bannon” (the sheet prints no terminal stop); read from the page image at 700 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00492926 ↩ ↩2

  35. Epstein to Peter Thiel, Sept 10, 2014, quoted in Epstein’s message of Sept 12, 2014; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00362699 ↩

  36. Schedule for Saturday, Sept 13, 2014, circulated by Lesley Groff. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02097572 ↩ ↩2

  37. Schedule for Saturday, Sept 13, 2014, circulated Sept 9, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02098460 ↩

  38. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Sept 13, 2014, 11:30 pm, and her reply, Sept 14, 2014, 12:18 am; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02589297 p.1. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  39. Epstein’s office to Epstein, Sept 12, 2014, on the Sept 14 lunch with Bob Kerrey. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02097598 ↩

  40. Lesley Groff to Senator Kerrey’s office, Sept 12, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02097835 ↩

  41. Epstein’s staff to Kathy Ruemmler and her reply, Sept 18, 2014; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02097902 ↩ ↩2

  42. Lesley Groff, schedule for Thursday, Sept 25, 2014, listing Ehud Barak as TBD with the note “Kathy Ruemmler is in NY and would love to join” (the sheet prints no terminal stop); read from the page image at 700 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01748418 p.2. ↩

  43. Epstein to Joshua Cooper Ramo, Sept 24, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01749160 ↩

  44. Lesley Groff, schedule running from the evening of Sept 23 through Tues. Sept. 30, 2014, in Paris. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01748418 ↩

  45. Lesley Groff, schedule for Oct 13, 2015, listing “4:30pm Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler” and, separately, “7:30pm DINNER w/Woody and Soon Yi”; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02070663 ↩

  46. Schedule for June 8, 2018: “10:00am Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler and Brad Karp.” https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02247671 ↩

  47. Schedule for March 4, 2018: “3:00pm Appt w/Kathy Ruemmler and Arian[e] de Rothschild.” https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02238150 ↩ ↩2

  48. Epstein to Lesley Groff, July 12, 2018. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02251243 ↩

  49. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.28. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  50. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.138–140. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  51. Lesley Groff and Kathy Ruemmler, Oct 12, 2016; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02191740 p.1. ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  52. NBC News, Kristen Welker, “Ex-Obama Counsel Ruemmler Withdraws Name From AG Consideration,” October 24, 2014. https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/first-read/ex-obama-counsel-ruemmler-withdraws-name-ag-consideration-n233411 ↩ ↩2

  53. Epstein to A. de Rothschild, Sept 26, 2014, forwarding press speculation about the attorney general nomination. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02589958 ↩

  54. Epstein to Jes Staley and Staley’s reply, Sept 26, 2014. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02366617 ↩

  55. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Oct 14, 2014, 8:20 pm (quoted in the thread), and his reply of Oct 15, 2014, 6:45 am, with her reply at 11:59 am; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02590575 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  56. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Oct 15, 2014, 12:11 am, subject “Obama Favoring Former White House Counsel Kathryn Ruemmler to Succeed Holder as Attorney General - Bloomberg”; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02591681 ↩

  57. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.130–131. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  58. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Oct 23, 2014, 9:05 am, quoting her message of 4:55 am with the draft statement; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02593429 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  59. Epstein’s rewritten statement of Oct 23, 2014 at 11:32 am, quoted in full beneath Ruemmler’s reply of 3:42 pm in the thread her replies carry as “Re: edit two”; read from the page image at 700 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02404664 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  60. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Oct 23, 2014, 6:17 pm, and her reply; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02402653 ↩ ↩2

  61. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.133–134. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  62. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.132. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  63. Hermès Customer Service order acknowledgement of Aug 28, 2016 at 1:53 pm, shipped to “Ms. Kathy Ruemmler,” forwarded within Epstein’s office the same evening; read from the page image at 700 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01783311 pp.1–2 — the covering messages and the date are on p.1, the order summary and the figures on p.2, which carries no date of its own. The shipping address value on p.2 is redacted and nothing is reproduced from it. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  64. Epstein’s office to Kathy Ruemmler, Dec 26, 2015 (the sender field is redacted in this copy): “excellent. I will call Amex now and purchase for you.” https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02065485 ↩ ↩2

  65. Kathy Ruemmler to a member of Epstein’s staff, Apr 22, 2015. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02080094 ↩

  66. Lesley Groff to a member of Epstein’s staff, Apr 17, 2017, forwarding Epstein’s message. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02209101 ↩

  67. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Oct 25, 2018. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02618409 ↩

  68. Apple Retail for Business order acknowledgement of Dec 4, 2018, billed to HBRK Associates Inc. and shipped to Kathy Ruemmler, forwarded to her by Epstein’s office on Dec 10, 2018. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02267908 ↩

  69. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Jan 4, 2019, 3:41 pm; read from the page image at 600 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02605815 p.1 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  70. Epstein’s reply, “yay,” Jan 4, 2019, 3:43 pm; read from the page image at 600 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02605800 p.1 — this copy quotes her message as sent at 10:40 am, a discrepancy with the 3:41 pm Sent line on her own copy. ↩

  71. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.13. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  72. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.77. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  73. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.92. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  74. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Aug 12, 2014, and her reply. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02723273 ↩ ↩2

  75. Epstein to A. de Rothschild and Kathy Ruemmler, July 2, 2015. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02498167 ↩ ↩2

  76. Larry Visoski to a member of Epstein’s staff, July 3, 2015. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02076233 ↩

  77. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, June 26, 2018 at 4:38 pm; read from the page image at 600 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02535567 p.1 ↩ ↩2

  78. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, June 26, 2018 at 5:00 pm; read from the page image at 600 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02536091 p.1 ↩

  79. Epstein’s office and Kathy Ruemmler, Dec 26, 2015. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02066102 pp.1–2. ↩

  80. Epstein’s office to Kathy Ruemmler, Jan 1, 2016, reissuing the ticket. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02064241 ↩

  81. Kathy Ruemmler and Lesley Groff, Dec 25, 2015; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02064816 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  82. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.27. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  83. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.26. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  84. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler and her replies, June 11, 2016 (Ruemmler Minority Exhibit D, Bates EFTA02395303); read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02395303 ↩ ↩2

  85. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.49–51 (Ruemmler Minority Exhibit D). https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  86. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Sept 7, 2016; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01783362 ↩ ↩2

  87. Kathy Ruemmler and Epstein, Mar 31, 2016. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02466645 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  88. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, July 9, 2017, and her reply; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02643671 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  89. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.116. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  90. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, January 24, 2018, 11:43 am; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02637456 p.1. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  91. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, January 24, 2018, 1:01 pm; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02612358 p.1. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  92. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Dec 16, 2018, 11:49 am and 12:04 pm, subject “My edited version” / “Fwd: My edited version,” editing a draft article by Kenneth Starr; Epstein forwarded it to Starr that evening (Ruemmler Minority Exhibit G); read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02610779 ↩

  93. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.62–65 (Ruemmler Minority Exhibit G; document at 92). https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  94. Epstein to Darren Indyke, copied to Kenneth Starr and Kathy Ruemmler, Mar 2, 2019; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02633030 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  95. Brad Karp to Epstein, Mar 3, 2019 at 9:19 am, forwarded by Epstein at 9:27 am to Kathryn Ruemmler, Martin Weinberg and Darren Indyke; read from the page image at 700 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01031774 pp.8–12 — p.8 carries the 9:27 am forward and its three named recipients, p.9 the forwarded-message header, p.10 Karp’s own date and subject, and pp.11–12 the assessment. The quoted assessment crosses the sheet break: p.11 ends at “The draft motion is in great shape. It’s” / “overwhelmingly” and p.12 opens “persuasive. Truly.” p.1 of this thirty-six-page run is a separate Martin Weinberg / Epstein exchange of the same day, mentioning neither Karp nor Ruemmler, and is not cited here. ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  96. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Mar 7, 2019, 1:37 am, subject “From wapo”; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02632056 ↩

  97. Epstein to Darren Indyke, Mar 7, 2019, 12:44 pm, forwarding Ruemmler’s message of 7:22 am; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02631342 ↩

  98. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.121–122. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  99. Karyna Shuliak and Lesley Groff, May 6, 2019, on the guests expected for dinner. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02315336 ↩ ↩2

  100. Epstein’s schedule for May 6–8, 2019. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02284218 ↩ ↩2

  101. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.122–123. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  102. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.143–144. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  103. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.123. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  104. Epstein to Darren Indyke, Richard Kahn, Karyna Shuliak and Kathy Ruemmler, May 14, 2019; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02316189 ↩

  105. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.116 (question referring to a Miami Herald report, and the answer). https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2

  106. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.117. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  107. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.60–61. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6

  108. The Jeffrey E. Epstein 2018 Trust, trust agreement dated May 8, 2018; read from the page image at 500 dpi (p.1, the parties) and 700 dpi (p.23, Article VII, Sections 7.1 and 7.2). https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00099449 pp.1, 23. A second copy of the same instrument is at https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01266457 ↩ ↩2

  109. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.140. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  110. Internal Department of Justice email thread, “RE: RE: updated JE will production,” January 16–17, 2020; read from the page image at 700 dpi. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA00076008 pp.1–2 — p.1 carries the messages of Friday, January 17 (20:28:21 +0000, 1:02 pm and 10:39) and one of Thursday, January 16 at 6:13 pm; p.2 carries the two further messages of January 16 (17:37 and 1:52 pm), including the passages quoted here. Every name and address on both sheets is redacted and none is supplied. ↩

  111. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Dec 26, 2015; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA01733466 ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  112. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Aug 25, 2017. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02639189 ↩ ↩2

  113. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Apr 4, 2019, forwarding a message from John Waldron; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02634941 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5

  114. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Aug 24, 2017, and her reply; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02378178 ↩ ↩2

  115. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Dec 20, 2017; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02611782 ↩ ↩2

  116. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Oct 15, 2017. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02582780 ↩

  117. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.26–27. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  118. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Apr 9, 2019, with her earlier messages of Apr 8 and Apr 9 in the same chain; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02636933 ↩ ↩2

  119. Epstein to Kathy Ruemmler, Mar 3, 2019, on compensation and other offers in her negotiation; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02632487 ↩

  120. Kathy Ruemmler to Epstein, Apr 9, 2019, forwarding a further message from John Waldron, and Epstein’s reply; read from the page image. https://epstein-data.com/EFTA02633822 ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4

  121. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.113–114. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  122. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.114. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  123. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.140–142. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  124. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript pp.141–142. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  125. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.143. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  126. CNBC, “Goldman Sachs stands by top lawyer Kathy Ruemmler after her emails with Jeffrey Epstein exposed,” November 13, 2025. https://www.cnbc.com/2025/11/13/goldman-sachs-jeffrey-epstein-emails-ruemmler.html ↩

  127. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.5 (House rule X at lines 3-6; “I want to thank Ms. Ruemmler for appearing here voluntarily today” at line 16; counsel for the witness identified from line 23). https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩ ↩2 ↩3

  128. Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, “Oversight Committee Releases Kathryn Ruemmler Transcript,” July 29, 2026. https://oversight.house.gov/release/oversight-committee-releases-kathryn-ruemmler-transcript/ ↩ ↩2

  129. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.8, lines 23-25; read at the page image. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  130. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.6, line 1 (the second of the two firms identified on the record); read at the page image. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  131. Interview of Kathryn H. Ruemmler, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, U.S. House of Representatives, July 15, 2026, transcript p.12. https://oversight.house.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/Ruemmler-Final-Transcript_Redact-7.28.26.pdf ↩

  132. Associated Press via Scripps News Group, “Lawmakers cast doubt on Kathryn Ruemmler’s testimony about Epstein ties,” carried by lex18.com, July 15, 2026. https://www.lex18.com/us-news/crime/epstein-files/lawmakers-cast-doubt-on-kathryn-ruemmlers-testimony-about-epstein-ties ↩ ↩2 ↩3

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