Stock Markets July 1, 2026 09:37 AM

Goldman Sachs Elevates Michael Bosworth to Acting General Counsel; Kathryn Ruemmler Steps Down

Change comes amid scrutiny over Ruemmler's past connections to Jeffrey Epstein; Ericka Leslie added to executive officers list

By Derek Hwang
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Goldman Sachs announced Michael Bosworth will serve as acting general counsel and join its core executive leadership team effective after Kathryn Ruemmler stepped down on June 30. Ruemmler resigned following the release of U.S. Justice Department documents alleging she accepted gifts from Jeffrey Epstein and advised him on responding to media inquiries about his crimes. She is slated to testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in mid July. The bank has also listed Ericka Leslie, its chief administrative officer, among its executive officers.

Goldman Sachs Elevates Michael Bosworth to Acting General Counsel; Kathryn Ruemmler Steps Down
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Key Points

  • Michael Bosworth appointed acting general counsel at Goldman Sachs and added to the firm's core executive leadership team.
  • Kathryn Ruemmler resigned effective June 30 after Justice Department documents indicated she accepted gifts from Jeffrey Epstein and advised him on media responses; she will testify before the U.S. House Oversight Committee in mid July.
  • Goldman Sachs has listed Ericka Leslie, the chief administrative officer, among its executive officers and has declined to comment on reports about Ruemmler's possible advisory role.

Goldman Sachs said on Wednesday that Michael Bosworth has been named acting general counsel and will join the firm's core executive leadership team, succeeding Kathryn Ruemmler, who left the role effective June 30.

Ruemmler resigned earlier this year from her positions as chief legal officer and general counsel after documents released by the U.S. Justice Department indicated she had accepted gifts from the late Jeffrey Epstein and had provided him advice on how to handle media inquiries tied to his crimes. Her resignation became effective June 30, according to the announcement.

The bank noted that Ruemmler will appear before the U.S. House Oversight Committee, which is conducting an investigation into Epstein, and is scheduled to testify in mid July.

Separately, U.S. Democratic lawmakers including Elizabeth Warren and Raja Krishnamoorthi raised concerns with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon about reports that Ruemmler might be retained as an adviser to the firm despite her reported links to Epstein. Goldman Sachs has declined to comment on whether she will take on an advisory role.

In addition to naming Bosworth as acting general counsel, the firm updated its list of executive officers on its website to include Ericka Leslie, who serves as chief administrative officer.

The changes were reflected on Goldman Sachs' public executive roster, which now shows Bosworth in the acting general counsel role and lists Leslie among the bank's executive officers.

This personnel shift follows the publication of Justice Department documents that prompted Ruemmler's resignation and the subsequent scrutiny from lawmakers and the congressional oversight process. The firm has not provided further comment on the nature of any future advisory arrangements involving Ruemmler.


Context and procedural notes

The actions described above stem directly from the disclosures contained in Justice Department documents and the resulting political and oversight attention. The timing noted in the firm's announcement places Bosworth's appointment after Ruemmler's resignation took effect on June 30 and precedes her scheduled testimony before Congress in mid July.

No additional details were provided by Goldman Sachs about Bosworth's interim tenure, any permanent appointment timeline, or the scope of duties should an advisory arrangement for Ruemmler be pursued.

Risks

  • Potential reputational and governance scrutiny for Goldman Sachs stemming from the reported links between a former top lawyer and Jeffrey Epstein - impacts the financial and professional services sectors.
  • Uncertainty around whether Ruemmler will serve as an adviser could prompt further regulatory and political attention - affects investor and public confidence in the bank and the broader corporate governance landscape.
  • Ongoing congressional oversight and scheduled testimony create procedural and public-relations risks for the firm until the matter is addressed in hearings - relevant to lenders, capital markets participants, and corporate legal functions.

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