Borge Brende, president of the World Economic Forum, has resigned following revelations of his connections with the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, who served as the forum’s leader since 2017, announced his decision in a statement after the U.S. Justice Department disclosed records showing he had three business dinners with Epstein and exchanged emails and text messages with him.

Resignation Amid Epstein Scrutiny

Brende said he stepped down after ‘careful consideration,’ citing the need for the forum to continue its work without distraction. His tenure, which spanned over eight years, he described as ‘profoundly rewarding.’ He did not directly address Epstein in his statement, but the revelations have cast a shadow over his leadership.

Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the WEF, confirmed that an independent review into Brende’s ties with Epstein had concluded. The findings indicated there were no further concerns beyond what had already been disclosed. The co-chairs announced that Alois Zwinggi would serve as interim president and CEO while the forum seeks a permanent successor.

Epstein’s Connections Revealed

The U.S. Department of Justice released over 3 million files in late January, including 180,000 images and 2,000 videos, related to Epstein. Among these files were emails showing that Brende and Epstein met multiple times in 2018 and 2019. One email from Epstein to Brende, dated shortly after a dinner in September 2018, mentioned that Woody Allen was coming to dinner the next day and invited Brende to join.

Brende responded to the email with a thank you, stating he ‘really appreciated the dinner.’ He later claimed he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal past and said he would not have accepted the invitation had he known. He admitted he could have done a more thorough background check on Epstein and expressed regret for not doing so.

In a statement, Brende said he was invited to dinner in 2018 by someone introduced as an American investor, Jeffrey Epstein. He attended two similar dinners with Epstein the following year, alongside other diplomats and business leaders. These interactions, he said, were the extent of his engagement with Epstein.

Broader Implications and Investigations

Brende’s resignation comes amid wider scrutiny of Norwegian officials linked to Epstein. Norwegian police are investigating Thorbjørn Jagland, former prime minister and head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, for potential corruption. Jagland was hospitalized due to the ‘strain’ of the ongoing investigation, according to his attorney, Anders Brosveet.

Pål K. Lønseth, chief of Økokrim, the economic crime unit investigating Jagland, said there were ‘reasonable grounds for investigation’ given Jagland’s positions, including chair of the Nobel Committee and secretary general of the Council of Europe. The investigation includes looking into whether Jagland received gifts, travel, or loans in connection with his roles.

Authorities have requested the Norwegian foreign ministry to lift Jagland’s immunity, which he holds due to his former position as a senior diplomat. Jagland held several influential roles, including prime minister from 1996 to 1997 and secretary general of the Council of Europe from 2009 to 2019.

Brende’s departure highlights the growing scrutiny of international figures tied to Epstein’s network. The WEF has emphasized its commitment to transparency and integrity, stating it aims to handle the matter ‘thoughtfully and efficiently.’

The WEF has not yet announced a timeline for selecting a permanent successor. With the upcoming Davos summit in January 2025, the forum faces pressure to restore public confidence and address the implications of this controversy on its global reputation and operations.