Ex-White House lawyer to face House grilling over 'luxury gifts' from Epstein

The departing general counsel for Goldman Sachs is being called to Congress to testify about her apparent close professional relationship with deceased financier and sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, reported the Wall Street Journal on Tuesday.

Kathryn Ruemmler, who announced her upcoming resignation as the venerable investment bank's general counsel last month amid Epstein scrutiny, was summoned to Congress in a letter by House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY).

"The letter, which was seen by The Wall Street Journal, says the committee believes Ruemmler has information that will assist in its broad-reaching Epstein investigation," said the report. "The Oversight Committee has been holding various hearings on the Epstein files, including interviewing Bill and Hillary Clinton last week. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, facing questions about his own interactions with Epstein, agreed to testify in front of the committee, Comer said on social media Tuesday."

Ruemmler, who reportedly maintains the confidence of top Goldman Sachs executives despite her resignation, was revealed in 2023 reporting to have stayed in contact with Epstein after his initial guilty plea for a sweetheart deal that let him serve house arrest for soliciting prostitution, while skating on trafficking allegations.

Prior to her stint at Goldman Sachs, she served as White House counsel to former President Barack Obama.

According to the report, "Batches of documents released by Congress and the Justice Department added detail to the relationship, deepening concerns among some inside the bank about her position, the Journal reported. Documents showed that Epstein had listed Ruemmler as a backup executor in a version of his will and called her the night he was arrested in 2019. They also detailed their extensive chatty emails and the luxury gifts he showered on her."

“Ms. Ruemmler welcomes the opportunity to appear before the Committee,” said her spokesperson. “She has done nothing wrong and had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal activity on his part.”