Epstein Called Goldman Lawyer After Arrest
In a revealing new disclosure from the U.S. Department of Justice, documents tied to the case of Jeffrey Epstein provide fresh insight into his final hours before his 2019 federal arrest — including a phone call he placed from custody to Kathryn Ruemmler, now the top lawyer at Goldman Sachs and a former White House counsel under President Obama.
Epstein was arrested on July 6, 2019, at Teterboro Airport in New Jersey on charges related to federal sex trafficking when he called three people, according to handwritten FBI notes released as part of a large cache of case files. One of those calls, at 7:15 p.m., was to Ruemmler’s cellphone, indicating a level of personal accessibility and connection to her at a moment of extreme legal jeopardy. The laws enforcement notes also reportedly captured Epstein’s own reaction: “Oh this is bad … This is really bad.”
At that time, Ruemmler was a well-known criminal defense attorney in private practice. Although she was not Epstein’s official attorney at the moment of the call — and has stated publicly that she never served as his lawyer for his criminal defense — her involvement in various communications with him stretches back years before his last arrest. Her spokesperson reiterated that the call was “brief” and that Ruemmler took no substantive action on Epstein’s behalf after the exchange.
The DOJ documents depict a more complex professional and social relationship between Ruemmler and Epstein than previously acknowledged. They show that Epstein reached out to her over a period of years, not only for legal advice but also for media strategy guidance concerning how to respond to scrutiny over his past conduct and plea agreements. Epstein appeared to seek her counsel on public messaging and how to navigate the intense media coverage surrounding his legal troubles.
Alongside these professional communications, the records also underscore Epstein’s pattern of bestowing lavish gifts on Ruemmler over the years — ranging from luxury handbags and designer accessories to high-value retail gift cards and even mentions of a private jet charter payment listing her name. While her representatives insist she did not accept some of those extravagant offers, and that any gifts were unsolicited, the volume and scale of such items in the documents have drawn scrutiny.
Before joining Goldman Sachs as chief legal officer and general counsel — where she is a central advisor to CEO David Solomon — Ruemmler had a notable legal career that included service in the Obama administration as White House counsel as well as a senior role at the law firm Latham & Watkins. The DOJ files also indicate that her interactions with Epstein extended into discussions about her career opportunities at other major firms, including Google, Facebook, and Citadel. Epstein was allegedly contacted for informal advice on these professional transitions.
The disclosures come amid a broader release of documents tied to Epstein’s network and legal entanglements. They suggest that Epstein’s web of connections included influential figures across legal, financial, and political spheres — and that some relationships persisted despite his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution. Ruemmler’s case has sparked internal and external debate about how senior legal professionals interacted with Epstein and what those relationships imply about judgment and ethics, particularly for individuals in high-profile roles at major institutions like Goldman Sachs.
Critics argue that the volume of contact and the substantive nature of some communications — such as discussing media strategies — go beyond what might be expected in a traditional professional setting. Others, including Ruemmler’s supporters and Goldman Sachs itself, emphasize that she has repeatedly clarified her position: Epstein was one of many individuals who reached out to her for counsel during her time as a defense lawyer, and she never represented him in his criminal prosecution.
Ruemmler also reportedly regrets ever having known Epstein, and her spokesperson insists she was unaware of any ongoing or undisclosed criminal conduct on his part. The call from Epstein the night of his arrest — though brief and without apparent follow-up — has become symbolic of the tenuous lines between professional relationships and ethical considerations when dealing with controversial figures.
⚖️ Key Legal Outcomes
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DOJ documents show Epstein placed a call to Kathryn Ruemmler the night he was arrested in July 2019.
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The notes record Epstein’s own reaction to his arrest as “Oh this is really bad.”
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Ruemmler states she never served as Epstein’s defense attorney for his criminal case.
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The documents reveal longstanding communications and exchanges between Epstein and Ruemmler.
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Epstein also sent or attempted gifts to Ruemmler, which her team says were not accepted.
❗ Why It Matters
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Highlights how powerful networks intersect with controversial figures, raising ethical questions.
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Reinforces scrutiny on how elite professionals manage relationships with clients or acquaintances later charged with serious crimes.
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Raises questions about judgment and reputational risk for senior executives and advisors in major institutions.
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Adds detail to the broader Epstein document dump, which continues to reshape public understanding of his connections.
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Sparks debate about transparency and disclosure in legal and financial industries.
