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World Economic Forum Chief Executive Børge Brende is stepping down after it was revealed he had ties to convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
A new set of documents in the Epstein files showed that Brende arranged to meet the financier for dinner at his New York home in 2018 and 2019. The second of these meetings was planned just weeks before Epstein was arrested in the United States on sex trafficking charges. He died in prison in August of that year.
WEF announced earlier this month that it had launched an investigation into Brende and her relationships with Epstein. The former Norwegian foreign minister said at the time that he was “completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities” but acknowledged he should have been more detailed.
The WEF investigation is now concluded, forum co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink said in a statement on Thursday, adding that the findings showed “there are no additional concerns beyond those previously disclosed.”
In a statement released this morning (AEDT), Brende said he was resigning “after careful consideration” but made no mention of Epstein or the investigation. His role lasted more than eight years.
The WEF is known for the high-profile meeting it holds annually in the Swiss mountain town of Davos.
The resignation adds to the turmoil he has experienced over the past year. Schwab left in the spring amid accusations of financial misconduct and disagreements with remaining leaders. He was eventually cleared, but only after a month-long investigation that hung over the organization.
Bloomberg
