Epstein Revelations Rock Norway’s Political Elite

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The release of millions of files related to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has provided an X-ray view into the clubby and sometimes X-rated world of the global elite. In Norway, a country that prides itself on being a bastion of good governance, revelations that members of its political ruling class were associated with the disgraced financier are sending shockwaves through society — and prompting a broader reckoning about ethics and power.

This week, Norway opened a corruption investigation into two top diplomats over their ties to Epstein. That follows an announcement by Okokrim, Norway’s authority for economic crime, that it was investigating former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland for “aggravated corruption” in connection with the convicted pedophile. The probe will look into whether Jagland, who is also former head of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, received gifts and loans, unrelated to his time as premier.

Jagland plans to cooperate with the investigation and expects to clear his name, his lawyer said last week.