Top Goldman Sachs banker departing after he opposed CEO David Solomons support of Epstein-linked lawyer: report

A top Goldman Sachs banker privately opposed CEO David Solomon’s decision to stand by Kathy Ruemmler as revelations about her ties to Jeffrey Epstein engulfed the Wall Street giant — and now he’s on his way out the door, according to a report.Russell Horwitz, Goldman’s chief of staff, raised concerns for months about Solomon’s support for Ruemmler as successive releases of Epstein-related documents exposed the extent of her relationship with the late convicted sex offender, The Financial Times reported.The FT report cites people close to Horwitz.A source close to the situation told The Post that while the FT reporting is accurate, Goldman employees were “shocked and appalled that an executive would talk about disagreements with the CEO in the media.”Horwitz, who is leaving his chief of staff role at the end of June, denied that his departure was related to Goldman’s handling of the Ruemmler controversy.“No, that is not the reason I’m leaving Goldman Sachs,” Horwitz said in a statement cited by the newspaper.Horwitz was one of the few senior figures inside Goldman willing to challenge Solomon on the issue, according to people familiar with the matter cited by the newspaper.

Goldman Sachs and reps for Ruemmler both declined to comment when reached by The Post.Ruemmler resigned in February after a trove of Epstein-related emails were released by the Justice Department.But Solomon asked her to stay on as an adviser to the firm beyond her scheduled departure date later this month, the FT reported.“Russell was one of the few people who wanted to address it and everyone else didn’t.

That was hugely frustrating for him,” one person familiar with the situation told the FT.Another person said Solomon’s backing of Ruemmler had become a taboo subject inside Goldman, with few executives willing to question the CEO’s continued support for one of his closest advisers.The internal dissent contrasts sharply with Solomon’s long-standing support for...