The fallout continues…
World Economic Forum (WEF) President and CEO Borge Brende resigned Thursday following an investigation into his past interactions with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step down as President and CEO of the World Economic Forum,” Brende said in a statement. “My time here, spanning 8-1/2 years, has been profoundly rewarding.”
He continued, “I am grateful for the incredible collaboration with my colleagues, partners, and constituents, and I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions.”
Brende’s statement did not mention Epstein. However, his resignation came just weeks after the WEF launched an independent investigation into his reported connections to the disgraced financier.
The probe began after it was discovered that Brende had dined with Epstein on at least three occasions and had communicated with him via text message and email. These interactions reportedly took place despite Epstein’s prior conviction for soliciting a child for prostitution.
“I was completely unaware of Epstein’s past and criminal activities,” Brende said after news of the relationship became public. “Had I known about his background, I would have declined the initial invitation to join [former Norwegian Deputy Prime Minister Terje] Rod-Larsen and any subsequent dinner invitations or other communications.”
Brende had served as president and CEO of the WEF since October 2017.
His resignation came just hours before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee began its deposition of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as part of its broader investigation into Epstein.
The deposition, held Thursday in Chappaqua, New York, follows a decision earlier this month by both Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton to comply with congressional subpoenas after initially resisting them. They agreed to sit for depositions to avoid being held in contempt of Congress.
The former president, who had a documented friendship with Epstein and flew on his plane multiple times in the early 2000s, is scheduled to be deposed Friday.
“No one’s accusing, at this moment, the Clintons of any wrongdoing. They’re going to have due process,” House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) said at a press conference prior to the deposition.
“But we have a lot of questions,” Comer continued. “And the purpose of the whole investigation is to try to understand many things about Epstein. How did he accumulate so much wealth? How was he able to surround himself with some of the most powerful men in the world? Was he an asset for our government or any other government?”
During her deposition, Hillary Clinton said she could not recall ever speaking with Epstein and stated that she had met his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, a few times.
Asked about Clinton’s testimony, Comer said: “There are a lot of questions pertaining to Secretary Clinton, with respect to Epstein and his involvement in the Clinton initiative and her relationship with Ghislane Maxwell.”
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