Former White House counsel and ex-Goldman Sachs chief legal officer Kathy Ruemmler testified before the House Oversight Committee on July 15, 2026, detailing her professional relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Ruemmler admitted that Epstein's referrals generated "single-digit millions" for her law firm, though she maintained the relationship was strictly professional. She also acknowledged Epstein's role in connecting her to clients, including Ariane de Rothschild and a criminal case for another attorney at her firm.
Ruemmler faced criticism for questioning the credibility of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide. In the transcript, Ruemmler stated Giuffre's allegations "lacked inherent credibility" based on her legal experience, though she did not outright deny Giuffre's victimization. Giuffre's family condemned Ruemmler's remarks, accusing her of downplaying Epstein's crimes and defending her own ties to him.
Ruemmler's public relations representative disputed claims that she broadly dismissed Giuffre's allegations, emphasizing her regret over interacting with Epstein.