Geneva, Switzerland. The World Economic Forum has launched an independent investigation into its CEO Borge Brende to clarify his relationship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the organisation said on Thursday. The WEF said the review follows disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department.
Initiation of the review
The Geneva-based organiser of the Davos summit said disclosures showed Brende had three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with him via email and text message. The WEF said its Governing Board requested the Audit and Risk Committee to look into the matter, which then decided to initiate an independent review.
WEF statement on governance and transparency
“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. The organisation said the decision underscored its commitment to transparency and maintaining its integrity.
Brende’s account of meetings and communications
The WEF said Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister who has been CEO since 2017, fully supported the review and had requested it himself. Brende said he met Epstein in 2018 at a dinner in New York after being invited by former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje Rod-Larsen.
Brende said he attended two similar dinners in 2019 with Epstein along with diplomats and business leaders, and that these events, along with “a few emails and SMS messages,” were the full extent of their interaction. He said he was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities and regretted not conducting a more thorough investigation before meeting him, adding that he would have declined the invitations and communications had he known.
Continuity of leadership during the investigation
The WEF said Brende will continue his duties as CEO while outside counsel carry out the investigation.
What do you think the independent review should clarify about Brende’s interactions with Epstein?
