Goldman Sachs Lawyer to Face House Committee Over Epstein Ties

A senior lawyer for Goldman Sachs is scheduled to testify before a U.S. congressional panel on Wednesday regarding her connections to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The hearing places renewed scrutiny on the Wall Street bank and its handling of the matter.

Kathryn Ruemmler, who stepped down as the firm's chief legal officer in June but remains as a senior counsel, will appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, according to a Reuters report citing committee members.

Congressional Investigation

The hearing is part of the committee's ongoing investigation into Epstein's crimes and the federal government's handling of his cases. Lawmakers are seeking to understand the network that enabled him.

"Congress must use Ms. Ruemmler’s testimony to pull back the curtain on how Jeffrey Epstein built and maintained wealth, power, and influence," Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi said in a statement to Reuters. He added that documents have revealed a "far more extensive relationship between Ms. Ruemmler and Epstein than was previously understood."

Details of the Relationship

Documents from the U.S. Justice Department have shown extensive contact between Ruemmler and Epstein. Key details include:

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• Numerous communications between 2014 and 2019, well after Epstein's 2008 guilty plea for procuring a minor for prostitution.
• Her acceptance of gifts from Epstein.
• Advising Epstein on how to handle media inquiries about his crimes.
• A phone call from Epstein to Ruemmler's cell phone on the night of his arrest on July 6, 2019.

A spokesperson for Ruemmler has previously stated that she did nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity by Epstein, noting she interacted with him in her capacity as a criminal defense attorney. The spokesperson described the 2019 call as brief and said Ruemmler took no action afterward.

Focus on Goldman's Governance

The decision by Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon to keep Ruemmler in an advisory role has drawn criticism from lawmakers. In a June letter, Rep. Krishnamoorthi and Senator Elizabeth Warren questioned whether the firm conducted proper due diligence or viewed the relationship as appropriate.

For investors, the hearing highlights potential reputational risk for Goldman Sachs and raises questions about its internal governance standards. The bank's handling of the situation is under a political and public spotlight. Goldman Sachs declined to comment on the matter, according to Reuters.