WEF launches probe into Børge Brende's ties to Jeffrey Epstein

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has initiated an independent review into its managing director, Børge Brende, following revelations about his past interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who has led the organization since 2017, admitted meeting Epstein in 2018 but claimed he was unaware of his criminal history at the time.

The investigation comes after Brende's name appeared over 60 times in documents released by the US Department of Justice related to Epstein's activities. Børge Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, attended three business dinners with Epstein and later exchanged emails and text messages with him. He has since expressed regret for not conducting a more thorough background check before their meetings.

Epstein, who pleaded guilty to child prostitution charges in 2008, was later charged with sex trafficking before dying by suicide in prison in 2019. The WEF's board of trustees requested the investigation after Brende's name surfaced in millions of pages of Epstein-related documents, with further releases expected in 2025.

Brende will remain in his role during the review but will not take part in the process. The WEF has not disclosed whether other high-profile figures are under scrutiny, as the documents do not specify additional names or regions linked to Epstein's activities.

The independent review will examine Brende's communications and meetings with Epstein. Its findings could impact his position at the WEF, though no further details on the investigation's scope have been provided. The case follows ongoing scrutiny of Epstein's connections to influential figures worldwide.