Goldman Sachs' top lawyer, Kathryn Ruemmler, has announced she will step down from her role after months of pressure over her friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Emails disclosed by the US justice department show she referred to the disgraced financier in emails as Uncle Jeffrey, advised him on how to push back against media, and accepted luxury gifts from him. My responsibility is to put Goldman Sachs' interests first, Ruemmler, who previously served as White House counsel to former US President Barack Obama, said in a statement.

Goldman CEO David Solomon thanked her for sound advice. Her resignation will take effect from June 30. Throughout her tenure, Kathy has been an extraordinary general counsel, and we are grateful for her contributions, Solomon stated.

While there is no suggestion of criminal wrongdoing, the revelations became a public relations headache for Goldman Sachs. Ruemmler insisted her relationship with Epstein was solely professional and stated, I had no knowledge of any ongoing criminal conduct on his part, and I did not know him as the monster he has been revealed to be. Her departure follows similar resignations linked to Epstein disclosures, including the recent step-down of Brad Karp from law firm Paul Weiss.