World Economic Forum Investigates CEO Over Epstein Links
The Geneva-based organiser of the Davos summit has launched an independent investigation into its CEO Borge Brende in connection with disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department that revealed he had three business dinners with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and communicated with him via email and text message.
“In light of these interactions, the Governing Board requested the Audit and Risk Committee to look into the matter, which subsequently decided to initiate an independent review,” the WEF said in a statement. “This decision underscores the Forum’s commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity.”
The WEF stated that Brende, who has been CEO since 2017 and is a former Norwegian foreign minister, fully supported the review he had requested himself. In a statement, Brende explained that he met Epstein in 2018 at a dinner in New York that he had been invited to by former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rod-Larsen. He attended two similar dinners with Epstein and diplomats in 2019.
Brende said these events along with “a few emails and SMS messages” constituted the full extent of their interaction, adding that he had not known about Epstein’s past and criminal activities at the time. He regretted not conducting a more thorough investigation into Epstein before meeting him. The WEF noted that Brende will continue his duties as CEO while outside counsel carry out the investigation.