Kathryn Ruemmler, a former White House counsel during the Obama administration and former general counsel for Goldman Sachs, has sparked significant controversy following the release of transcripts from a recent House oversight committee investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. During her testimony earlier this month, Ruemmler suggested that certain allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, “lacked inherent credibility.”
When asked by the committee whether she believed Giuffre was a victim of Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Ruemmler stated, “I don’t know.” She further elaborated that while she had no reason to doubt Giuffre’s general claims, specific allegations made by the accuser were of a nature that she found unconvincing based on her background as a prosecutor and defense attorney. Ruemmler specifically questioned claims involving multiple world leaders and foreign presidents, noting that such accusations usually require more specific details regarding time and location.
The remarks drew sharp condemnation from Giuffre’s family. Sky and Amanda Roberts, Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law, described the comments as “reprehensible” in a statement provided to CNN. They argued that Giuffre’s bravery was the primary catalyst for other survivors coming forward, which ultimately led to over 50 individuals in positions of power stepping down. They asserted that “the only person who lacks credibility is Kathy Ruemmler.” Virginia Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
Ruemmler’s appearance before the committee followed the public release of files detailing numerous email exchanges between her and Epstein between 2014 and 2019. The documents revealed that she had accepted gifts from Epstein, referred to him as “Uncle Jeffrey” and “sweetie,” and provided informal advice on how he might address questions regarding his sex crimes. Reports from the Wall Street Journal further indicated she had once been listed as a backup executor of his will.
In response to the backlash, a spokesperson for Ruemmler stated that she had no knowledge of ongoing criminal activity by Epstein and would not have turned a blind eye to harm against women or girls. Another representative clarified that Ruemmler was expressing skepticism toward specific, unsubstantiated claims rather than dismissing every allegation Giuffre had ever made. Ruemmler, who announced her resignation as Goldman Sachs’ chief legal officer in February, maintained throughout her testimony that she never witnessed evidence of criminal conduct during her interactions with Epstein and argued that her emails were being taken out of context.
“I don’t know,” she responded, according to a transcript released on Wednesday.
