New York — Goldman Sachs’ top legal executive, Kathryn Ruemmler, is stepping down after newly released Justice Department records revealed previously undisclosed ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, triggering renewed scrutiny of elite financial networks linked to the disgraced financier.

Ruemmler, the bank’s Chief Legal Officer and General Counsel since 2020, confirmed she will resign effective June 30, 2026. Her departure follows the publication of emails and correspondence showing a sustained personal and professional relationship with Epstein that continued years after his 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor.

The documents, part of broader federal disclosures tied to Epstein investigations, include friendly exchanges in which Ruemmler referred to Epstein in familiar terms and maintained regular communication between 2014 and 2019. Records also indicate she received gifts and provided informal advice regarding media scrutiny he faced.

Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon said he “reluctantly accepted” her resignation, describing the growing controversy as a distraction to the firm’s operations despite praising her legal leadership. The bank emphasized that Ruemmler expressed regret over her association with Epstein and agreed to remain through a transition period.

Before joining Goldman Sachs, Ruemmler served as White House Counsel under President Barack Obama and built a high-profile legal career in corporate and government circles. Her exit marks one of the most significant Wall Street leadership departures tied to the ongoing fallout from Epstein document releases.

The case has intensified questions about how major financial institutions and influential figures maintained relationships with Epstein despite his criminal record. Legal and ethics experts say the issue underscores reputational risk management challenges facing corporations when executives’ past associations surface years later.

While no criminal allegations have been filed against Ruemmler, the episode highlights the enduring institutional consequences of Epstein’s network of influence — a web that continues to reverberate across finance, politics, and global business leadership long after his 2019 death.