Jack Horner, the renowned palaeontologist who inspired the character of Alan Grant inJurassic Park, has left his role at Chapman University. This follows revelations that he visited convicted sex offenderJeffrey Epstein's ranch in New Mexico in 2012 while seeking funding for his research.
The emails, recently released by the US Justice Department, have raised questions about Horner's connection to Epstein, though no illegal activity has been suggested. Horner expressed regret over his lack of due diligence at the time, noting that he did not see anything 'weird or suspicious' during his visits.
The exchanges show that Horner initially requested financial support for a project, estimating costs at approximately £12,500 ($15,000), and later revised the amount to £7,200 ($8,650). Epstein eventually made a donation of £8,300 ($10,000).
Horner also referenced accompanying young women, whom he said were 'introduced to me as college students,' and later regretted using the term 'girls' in his emails.
The 2012 emails reveal Horner visited Epstein's ranch with the intention of exploring potential funding for academic research while he was a lecturer at Montana State University.
In one message, he thanked a colleague for helping arrange the visit, commenting that 'Jeffrey and the girls were very gracious hosts.'
He later clarified that he was referring to four women introduced as students and expressed regret for the wording.
Horner stated that his interest in Epstein's support stemmed solely from the financier's reputation as a wealthy individual with an interest in science. 'I was aware that he had previously been charged with soliciting a prostitute and had served a sentence, but I was not aware of any additional allegations or misconduct,' Horner explained in a statement.
He also highlighted that his visit in 2016 with a graduate student did not involve Epstein directly; only the ranch manager and his wife were present.
According to theBBC, Chapman University confirmed Horner is no longer with the institution, though it remains unclear whether he resigned or was dismissed.
Source: International Business Times UK
