Members of the House Oversight Committee have raised concerns about the credibility of Kathryn Ruemmler's testimony regarding her ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Ruemmler, a former top lawyer at Goldman Sachs and White House counsel under President Barack Obama, appeared before the committee on Wednesday to discuss her relationship with Epstein, which she described as one where he 'used' her.
During her opening remarks, Ruemmler acknowledged that engaging with Epstein was a mistake but maintained that she never witnessed any criminal activity. She stated, 'Epstein used me and other respectable people to legitimize his standing.'
However, several Democratic lawmakers expressed doubt about her honesty. Representative Robert Garcia of California, the committee's leading Democrat, remarked, 'It is difficult to see how she’s being completely truthful in there with the answers she’s given the committee.'
Ruemmler is the latest high-profile individual to testify in the ongoing bipartisan investigation into Epstein's connections with influential figures. This inquiry has already included testimonies from notable personalities such as former President Bill Clinton and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, as lawmakers seek to understand how Epstein's wealth and connections may have afforded him protection from scrutiny.
Having served as White House counsel from 2011 to 2014 and as Goldman Sachs’ general counsel for six years, Ruemmler announced her intention to step down from her position amid backlash over her correspondence with Epstein. Although she plans to leave by June 30, she continues to be employed by Goldman Sachs.
Lawmakers have scrutinized the nature of Ruemmler’s relationship with Epstein, particularly communications that suggest a close bond. Garcia stated, 'For her to deny that there was any type of real relationship there, I just don't buy it.' He highlighted concerns about her lack of being under oath during the testimony.
Documents released by the Justice Department revealed extensive communication between Ruemmler and Epstein, including affectionate exchanges and personal emails. Ruemmler claimed to have first met Epstein in 2014 to discuss a potential donor-advised fund with Gates, after which she learned of Epstein's 2008 sex crimes conviction.
House Oversight Chair James Comer pointed out that Ruemmler's attempts to rehabilitate Epstein's image post-conviction were particularly troubling. He noted that she is the 18th individual to testify as part of this investigation.
The committee is also looking to question acting Attorney General Todd Blanche regarding the release of Epstein-related documents, which has garnered bipartisan scrutiny.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).
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