Jurassic Park palaeontologist parts ways with university after Epstein emails

A palaeontologist who worked as an adviser on several Jurassic Park films has left his role at Chapman University, weeks after emails linking him to Jeffrey Epstein were released.

The 2012 emails show Jack Horner visited the convicted sex offender's New Mexico ranch and sought research funding. Horner worked as a lecturer at Montana State University at the time.

The exchanges appeared in the most recent tranche of files about Epstein released by the US justice department. Appearing in the files does not imply wrongdoing.

In a statement, Horner said he regrets not investigating Epstein's background, but did not see anything "weird or suspicious" during his visit.

"In retrospect, I regret that I did not investigate Epstein's background beyond what was commonly known at the time, something that I had never done with other potential donors. That is a lesson learned!" he said.

"When the full extent of Epstein's crimes became public in 2019, I reflected back upon my limited interactions with him. Nothing I observed or experienced during my short stay at the ranch indicated or suggested the conduct that came to light."

A Chapman University spokesperson said Horner "is no longer with the university". It is unclear whether Horner resigned or was let go.

Horner was the inspiration for the character Alan Grant in the Jurassic Park novel that spawned the successful film franchise. He served as a technical consultant on the blockbuster films, which feature genetically engineered dinosaurs rising up to take over the world.

In an email sent in August 2012 to a redacted recipient, Horner wrote: "I wanted to thank you for all your help in getting me to Jeffrey's ranch, it was a lot of fun.

"Jeffrey and the girls were very gracious hosts... Please give my best to Jeffrey and the girls."

In his statement, Horner said he was referring to four women "who were introduced to me as college students" and regrets using the term "girls".

Another message shows Horner asking about funding for a research project, saying the cost could be approximately $15,000, before later revising it to $8,650.

In response, Epstein wrote: "great, check made to ???"

Horner said he sought a donation from Epstein because he "was known to me only as a wealthy individual with an interest in science who had made donations to major academic institutions".

"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," he added.

Horner also said Epstein made a $10,000 donation for his research and that he visited the ranch a second time in 2016 with a graduate student "as part of a geology tour".

"Epstein was not present; only the ranch manager and his wife were there," he said.