Borge Brende, long associated with the World Economic Forum, said Thursday he would step down after scrutiny of his interactions with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
His departure came less than a month after newly released Epstein files appeared to show Brende stayed in contact with Epstein after Epstein had already been convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution.
The World Economic Forum said the review found no “additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”
Brende said that after “careful consideration” he believed the forum should move forward “without distractions.”
The organization said it respected his decision and thanked Brende for what it called “instrumental” leadership during a “pivotal period of reforms.”
Even so, his resignation is another blow to an institution that has long preached moral seriousness while finding itself tangled in scandal.
The forum was already under pressure after its board launched an investigation in May into allegations of improper behavior by founder Klaus Schwab, who stepped down as chair in April.
Norway Fallout
Brende, a former foreign minister of Norway, is among several prominent Norwegians named in the recently released Justice Department files that show Epstein cultivated relationships with influential figures around the globe.
Norway has been hit especially hard by the fallout.
This month, former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland was charged with “gross corruption” over his ties to Epstein.
Crown Princess Mette-Marit publicly expressed regret over “having had any contact with Epstein” after emails suggested a lengthy and close relationship.
Norwegian diplomat Mona Juul and her husband, Terje Rod-Larsen, also came under investigation after reports claimed the couple had been left $10 million in Epstein’s will.
Juul has since resigned.
One related item reported an Epstein-linked politician was hospitalized after an apparent suicide attempt.
The latest batch of documents appears to show Brende maintained contact with Epstein until at least mid-2019, just months before Epstein died in a New York jail.
Brende had previously told Norway’s public broadcaster he was “completely unaware of his criminal actions and past,” and that he never would have met Epstein “had I known.”
But the new material appears to complicate that defense.
In March 2019, Epstein is said to have texted Brende a letter written by his lawyers and published in The New York Times.
In the letter, Epstein’s attorneys referenced his prior conviction and argued that “the number of young women involved in the investigation has been vastly exaggerated,” among other claims.
According to the files, Brende appeared to respond with a thumbs-up emoji.
That small detail has become politically radioactive.
For critics of the Davos crowd, Brende’s exit is likely to reinforce the belief that powerful international institutions have long operated with one set of rules for ordinary people and another for the well-connected.
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