Goldman Sachs Chief of Staff Russell Horwitz Departing Amid Internal Tensions Over CEO's Support for Epstein-Linked Lawyer

Russell Horwitz, Goldman Sachs' chief of staff, is departing at the end of June after months of privately opposing CEO David Solomon's continued support for general counsel Kathy Ruemmler, whose ties to Jeffrey Epstein were exposed through Justice Department email releases. Ruemmler resigned in February but was asked by Solomon to remain as an adviser to the firm. According to Financial Times reporting, Horwitz was among the few senior executives willing to challenge Solomon on the issue, with sources describing the matter as a taboo subject inside Goldman and expressing frustration with the CEO's backing of Ruemmler. Horwitz has denied his departure is related to the Ruemmler controversy. The situation has drawn external scrutiny, with Senators Elizabeth Warren and Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi writing to Solomon questioning whether his retention of Ruemmler reflects sound professional judgment. Ruemmler has maintained she disclosed her Epstein connections before joining Goldman and had no knowledge of his criminal activities.