CEO of World Economic Forum quits after Epstein ties come to light [View all]

Source: msn/Reuters

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ZURICH, Feb 26 (Reuters) - The president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Borge Brende, said he was stepping down on Thursday, a few weeks after the forum launched an independent investigation into his relationship with late U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Brende, who became president of the WEF in 2017, announced his decision in a statement following disclosures from the U.S. Justice Department that showed the Norwegian had three business dinners with Epstein and had also communicated with the disgraced financier via email and text message.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum. My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding," said Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister.

Issued by the WEF, the statement made no mention of Epstein. However, Brende told Norwegian media he was sorry about how he had handled his dealings with the American and that he did not want the issue to be a distraction for the forum, which organises the annual Davos summit.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/ceo-of-world-economic-forum-quits-after-epstein-ties-come-to-light/ar-AA1X8ILv