World Economic Forum Chief Resigns After Investigation Into Epstein Links

The chief executive of the World Economic Forum is resigning in the wake of new details related to his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.Børge Brende released a statement Thursday that he was stepping aside after “careful consideration. He didn’t make any mention of his connection to Epstein but referred to “distractions.”“I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions,” Mr. Brende said.The co-chairs of the forum, André Hoffmann and Larry Fink, thanked Mr. Brende for his “significant contributions” and announced Alois Zwinggi will serve as the interim president and chief executive of the group that organizes the annual summit in Davos, Switzerland.The latest batch of files released by the United States Department of Justice appeared to show Mr. Brende remained in contact with Epstein long after his conviction connected to soliciting a minor for prostitution. Documents showed Mr. Brende apparently met for dinner at Epstein’s New York home in 2018 and 2019. The two appear to have remained in contact until a few months before Epstein killed himself in a New York jail while awaiting federal charges.Mr. Brende — a former foreign affairs minister for the Conservative Party — previously told Norway’s public broadcasting corporation that he was unaware of Mr. Epstein’s past.The World Economic Forum opened an independent probe into Mr. Brende earlier this month. Thursday’s announcement said the review had ended. “The findings stated that there were no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”Mr. Brende is one of several high-profile Norwegians that have been linked to Epstein.A former prime minister, Thorbjørn Jagland, is under investigation for corruption over his interactions with Epstein. Mr. Jagland’s diplomatic immunity was revoked as part of the investigation.Mr. Jagland was hospitalized this week. There were reports that Mr. Jagland attempted suicide but his attorney, Anders Brosvett, said those reports were false. He released a statement saying the hospitalization was “a result of the strain in the wake of this case.”Mr. Jagland, a former head of the Nobel Committee and a secretary general of the Council of Europe, has maintained he committed no crime.A prominent diplomatic couple has also been closely linked to Epstein in the latest file release. Terje Rød-Larsen, along with his wife, Mona Juul, appear several times in the documents. Mr. Rød-Larsen described Epstein as his “best friend” in one text message. Epstein left $5 million to each of their two children in a will signed just before his death.Mr. Rød-Larsen released a statement through his lawyer that said he is cooperating with investigators and he is not suspected of any criminal offense. The statement says Mr. Rød-Larsen is “seriously ill” after recently suffering multiple strokes. He is in rehabilitation and is “significantly cognitively impaired,” according to the statement.Crown Princess Mette-Marit has previously apologized for her contacts with Epstein, including borrowing an Epstein-owned property at Palm Beach, Florida.

World Economic Forum Chief Resigns After Investigation Into Epstein Links

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