The World Economic Forum has launched an independent investigation into its CEO, Borge Brende, to clarify his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the organisation said on Thursday.
The Geneva based body that organises the annual Davos summit said it was reviewing disclosures from the US Justice Department showing Brende had attended 3 business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with him through email and text messages.
“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,” it added.
The WEF said Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister who has served as CEO since 2017, fully supports the investigation, which he personally requested.
In a statement, Brende said he first 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 later attended 2 similar dinners in 2019 with Epstein alongside diplomats and business leaders, adding that these meetings, together with “a few emails and SMS messages”, represented the full extent of their interaction.
“I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities,” Brende said, adding that he regretted not carrying out more thorough checks before meeting him.
“Had I known about his background, I would have declined the initial invitation to join Rod Larsen and any subsequent dinner invitations or other communications,” he added.
The WEF said Brende will continue performing his duties as CEO while external legal counsel conducts the independent investigation.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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