Head of World Economic Forum investigated for contacts with Epstein

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched an independent investigation into its CEO, Børge Brende, to clarify his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

According to the files, Brende attended three working dinners with Epstein and communicated with him via email and text messages. The WEF Board of Directors therefore tasked the Audit and Risk Management Committee with reviewing the matter, which led to the decision to launch an independent audit.

Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister who has headed the forum since 2017, fully supports the investigation and initiated it himself.

In a statement, he said he first met Epstein in 2018 in New York at the invitation of former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rød-Larsen. Two more dinners took place in 2019, attended by diplomats and businesspeople. Brende claims he was unaware of Epstein's past and criminal activities and regrets not having checked his background more thoroughly.

He remains in his position as CEO during the investigation.

(reuters, est)