Newly released US Justice Department documents show that Jeffrey Epstein repeatedly emphasised his ties to a former head of the Nobel Peace Prize committee as he communicated with prominent political and business figures around the world. The files indicate that Epstein often referenced Thorbjorn Jagland, who led the Norwegian Nobel Committee from 2009 to 2015, in emails and text messages to well-known figures including Richard Branson, Larry Summers, Bill Gates and Steve Bannon.

Jagland, 75, has been charged in Norway with “aggravated corruption” following an investigation prompted by information in the documents, Norway’s economic crime agency, Okokrim, said. Authorities are examining whether gifts, travel or loans were linked to his position. Police searched his home in Oslo and two other properties this week, reports AP.

Jagland denies the charges, his lawyers at the Elden law firm said.

The documents do not show evidence of direct lobbying for the Nobel Peace Prize. However, they reveal that Epstein frequently mentioned hosting Jagland at his homes in New York and Paris during the 2010s.

In a September 2018 text exchange with Bannon, Epstein wrote: "donalds head would explode if he knew you were now buds with the guy who on monday will decide the nobel peace prize." "I told him next year it should be you when we settle China," he added.

In a 2013 email to British entrepreneur Richard Branson, Epstein mentioned that Jagland would be staying with him and wrote, "if you are there, you might find him interesting."

In 2015, Epstein emailed former White House counsel Kathy Ruemmler: "head of nobel peace prize coming to visit, want to join?"

In 2012, Epstein wrote to former Treasury Secretary and Harvard University president Larry Summers, saying, "head of the nobel peace prize staying with me, if you have any interest."

In the same exchange, Epstein described Jagland as "not bright" but said he offered a "unique perspective."

In 2014, Epstein informed Bill Gates that Jagland had been reelected as head of the Council of Europe. Gates responded: "That is good. I guess his peace prize committee job is also up in the air?"

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