Jeffrey Epstein links leave Davos World Economic Forum without a boss: 'I've decided to step down'

Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF) held annually in Davos, Switzerland, announced on Thursday that he is stepping down, weeks after the organization launched an independent investigation into his relationship with deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Reuters reports.

Brende, who became WEF president in 2017, announced his decision in a statement issued after documents released by the US Department of Justice showed that the Norwegian had three business dinners with Epstein and also communicated with the American financier via email and text messages.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here of 8 1/2 years has been deeply fulfilling,” said Brende. The release did not mention Epstein by name.

“I am grateful for the great collaboration with our colleagues, partners and members, and I believe now is the right time for the Forum to continue its important work without distraction,” added Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister.

How the president of the World Economic Forum in Davos defended himself

Brende said she was unaware of Epstein's background and criminal activities before first meeting him in 2018, and that she regrets not doing more background checks on him.

Brende's decision to resign follows a series of revelations about Epstein, who in 2008 was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. These revelations rocked business and political elites, including the British royal family.

In a separate statement, Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink, co-chairs of the Geneva-based forum, said the independent review by an outside counsel into Brende's ties to Epstein had been concluded.

They said the findings show there is no additional cause for concern beyond what has already been revealed.

International scandals after the new revelations in the Epstein file

The Co-Chairs stated that Alois Zwinggi will serve as interim WEF President and CEO and that the Forum's Board of Directors will oversee the leadership transition, including a plan to begin the process of identifying a permanent successor to Brende.

The US Department of Justice released more than 3 million pages of documents related to Epstein, who committed suicide in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal human trafficking charges.

His connections to a long list of business and political leaders, including US President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, have made the international media rounds.

Outside the United States, the revelations prompted criminal investigations into Britain's Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, as well as other prominent figures.