With the latest batch of Jeffrey Epstein files being unsealed by the U.S. Department of Justice, details of an old relationship have been laid bare once more for public scrutiny.
On January 31 local time, according to a trove of newly disclosed documents by Bloomberg and the U.S. Department of Justice, the specifics of the relationship between current Goldman Sachs Group partner and General Counsel Kathy Ruemmler and Jeffrey Epstein were thoroughly exposed.
"Uncle Jeffrey" and Hermès Gifts Before Ruemmler became Goldman Sachs' top legal officer, her interactions with Epstein were deeply personal. Emails reveal that on multiple occasions between 2016 and 2019, she referred to Epstein as "Uncle Jeffrey."
In a 2019 email, she wrote: "Got totally Uncle Jeffrey'd today! Jeffrey boots, bag, and watch!"
The list of gifts was remarkably detailed. In 2018, Epstein offered to buy a band for her Apple Watch. She had also received handbags, flowers, and expensive wine as gifts from Epstein.
The disclosed emails show:
In 2016, 2018, and 2019, Ruemmler repeatedly used the nickname "Uncle Jeffrey" in emails.
She had thanked Epstein in emails for gifts, including shoes, handbags, watches, and alcohol.
In an email on Halloween day in 2018, Epstein replied to her with: "good girl."
Formerly Drafted "PR Script" for Trump The decrypted files indicate that Ruemmler was not only a close social friend of Epstein's but also provided him with "strategic support" on political and public relations matters.
During the 2016 U.S. presidential election, anticipating that Donald Trump might be questioned about their relationship, Epstein sought advice from Ruemmler. Ruemmler promptly suggested Trump should respond as follows:
"I knew Epstein in a professional context and always found my dealings with him pleasant. Beyond what has been reported publicly, I know nothing about his personal legal matters and therefore cannot comment."
The Intersection of Wall Street and Power Ruemmler previously served as White House Counsel during the Obama administration, returned to private law practice in 2014, and joined Goldman Sachs in 2020. These documents clearly illustrate how Epstein leveraged top-tier elites like Ruemmler to maintain his social standing.
Records show the intricate web of Epstein's social circle: on a single day in January 2016, his schedule included "breakfast with Apollo Global Management co-founder Marc Rowan, lunch with Ruemmler, and dinner with Woody Allen and his wife." He also facilitated a meeting between Ruemmler and Steve Bannon, Trump's former senior advisor who had just left the White House.
Goldman Sachs' Stance: Unwavering Support, Limited Impact Despite the staggering details in the files, Goldman Sachs' senior leadership has taken a firm stance.
A Goldman Sachs spokesperson, Tony Fratto, stated that friendly exchanges among professionals are normal and that these emails do not change her role at the firm, adding, "As CEO Solomon has said, Kathy is an outstanding General Counsel, and we benefit from her advice every day."
Solomon has also repeatedly expressed internally that she is a "very fine lawyer" and emphasized that when the relevant information initially surfaced in 2023, Ruemmler had fully disclosed it to the company.
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