$25 Million In Epstein’s Pocket: How A Love Affair + The U.S. Government Made It Happen

For years, Jeffrey Epstein operated between the most powerful financial institutions in the world and the United States government. He had no law license. He had a criminal record. Federal documents produced in the Epstein proceedings show one transaction in detail.

Edmond de Rothschild bank was under federal investigation for helping wealthy American clients evade taxes. Epstein’s company signed a formal contract with the bank on October 5, 2015, specifying a $25 million fee payable within three days of the bank settling with the U.S. government. That contract is federal exhibit EFTA00584904.

The lawyer Epstein recruited for the engagement was Kathy Ruemmler, who had just finished serving as Counsel to President Obama and was publicly reported to be on the shortlist for Attorney General of the United States. On October 24, 2014, Epstein told Ariane de Rothschild that Ruemmler would decline that nomination and complete their work instead. That email is federal exhibit EFTA02592865. Ruemmler formally retained Epstein as a consultant on Latham & Watkins letterhead on behalf of the bank. That retention letter is federal exhibit EFTA00582812.

The settlement closed on December 10, 2015. Ariane de Rothschild thanked Epstein for his “amazing help” the same night. Kathy Ruemmler became General Counsel of Goldman Sachs in 2020. Goldman Sachs confirmed her departure on February 13, 2026.