Epstein Documents Expose Former Nobel Chair's Elite Network and Corruption Allegations
In a stunning development from the recently released Jeffrey Epstein files, Thorbjørn Jagland, the former head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, has been charged with "aggravated corruption" by Norwegian authorities. The charges stem from an investigation prompted by the millions of documents unsealed by the U.S. Justice Department last month, which reveal Epstein's extensive efforts to leverage Jagland's prestigious position to connect with high-profile elites.
Jagland's Role in Epstein's Social Circle
The documents show that Epstein, a convicted sex offender and former financier, repeatedly highlighted his relationship with Jagland in communications with influential figures. From 2009 to 2015, while Jagland chaired the Nobel Peace Prize committee, Epstein hosted him at properties in New York and Paris, using these encounters as a selling point to attract attention from the powerful.
In one email from 2013, Epstein told British entrepreneur Richard Branson that Jagland would be staying with him, suggesting Branson might find him "interesting." Similarly, in 2012, Epstein reached out to former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, mentioning that the "head of the Nobel Peace Prize" was his guest, and in 2014, he informed Bill Gates about Jagland's reelection as head of the Council of Europe.
Corruption Investigation and Denials
Norwegian police unit Økokrim has launched an investigation into whether Jagland received gifts, travel, or loans in connection with his official role. On Thursday, teams searched his Oslo residence and two other properties in Risør and Rauland. Jagland, 75, has denied the charges through his attorneys at the Elden law firm and was questioned by police on the same day.
While the documents do not provide evidence of direct lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize, they underscore Epstein's strategic use of Jagland's status to cultivate relationships with elites. In a 2018 text exchange with Steve Bannon, a top ally of former President Donald Trump, Epstein joked about Bannon's potential Nobel prospects, writing, "donalds head would explode if he knew you were now buds with the guy who on monday will decide the nobel peace prize."
Broader Implications and Connections
Jagland's tenure as committee chair saw the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Barack Obama in 2009 and the European Union in 2012. The documents also reveal that Epstein described Jagland, a former Norwegian prime minister and head of the Council of Europe, as "not bright" but offering a "unique perspective."
Further complicating the case, Jagland was introduced to Epstein by Terje Rød Larsen, a Norwegian diplomat involved in the Oslo Peace Accords. Larsen and his wife are also facing corruption charges in Norway due to their association with Epstein, highlighting the widening ripple effects of the scandal.
The Associated Press, in collaboration with journalists from CBS, NBC, MS NOW, and CNBC, is continuing to review the released documents, with each outlet responsible for independent coverage. This case sheds light on the intersection of power, prestige, and potential misconduct in global elite circles.
