Kathryn Ruemmler, former White House counsel under President Barack Obama, testified Wednesday before the House Committee on Oversight and Reform regarding her connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The hearing is part of the committee's investigation into Epstein, whose case has drawn renewed scrutiny following the release of records under the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
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Ruemmler's name appeared thousands of times in those records, prompting questions about her relationship with Epstein.
She recently announced her resignation from Goldman Sachs, where she served as chief legal officer, effective June 30.
Emails Reveal Close Ties
Emails exchanged between Ruemmler and Epstein from 2014 to 2019 show she accepted luxury gifts from him and addressed him as "Uncle Jeffrey" and "sweetie."
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In one 2015 email, she wrote: "Friendship goes two ways – getting you some peace with respect to all of this legal shit is important to me," according to the Wall Street Journal.
Ruemmler also advised Epstein on how to handle inquiries about his crimes, the emails indicate.
In a June guest essay for the New York Times, Ruemmler reflected on her association with Epstein, saying she first connected with him in 2014 after he reached out regarding a potential opportunity with Bill Gates.
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"What I did not appreciate at the time and now deeply regret," she wrote, "is that Epstein used me, along with many others, to legitimize his standing."
