The latest batch of documents related to Jeffery Epstein reveal connections to former Chapman University President Daniele Struppa and Jack Homer who Chapman describes as “Lecturer; Presidential Fellow”.
Struppa does not appear to have had any contact at all with Epstein. He received a bizarre, seemingly unhinged email from former Rutgers Professor Robert Trivers blaming Struppa for his not getting hired by Chapman University. Trivers is known to have been associated with Epstein for several years, although their relationship is not clear.
In the case of Paleontologist Jack Horner who teaches two honors courses at Chapman, and founded Chapman’s dinosaur lab, the connection to Epstein is more direct and less clear in its nature. Yes, Chapman apparently has a dinosaur lab.
https://www.chapman.edu/research/institutes-and-centers/dino-lab/index.aspx
While the released files do not show any inappropriate, or criminal relationship with Epstein, they do raise obvious questions. In email to Epstein between 2012 and 2016, Horner discussed visiting Epstein’s New Mexico ranch. A spokesperson from Montana State University where Horner was a Professor for 33 years before retiring confirmed that Horner conducted a “paleontological tour” arraigned through the University.
In an email to Epstein after the “tour”, Horner stated “I had a great time, especially spending time with you and the girls.” He finished by writing “Please give all the girls my very best wishes, and to you, whom I envy.”
Horner posted a statement on his Instagram account stating “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 went on to say “Those present besides the ranch manager and his wife included Epstein, a chef, Epstein’s secretary and four women who were introduced to me as college students, two of whom claimed to be adept in genetics,” he said. “Once back in Bozeman I sent a brief email thanking Jeffrey and the students (‘the girls’) for allowing me to present my project and to explore the ranch…I regret my use of the term ‘girls’ in emails referring to the students, rather than using more appropriate language.” The Instagram account has now been set to “private”.
A 2016 article in the Bozeman Daily Chronicle highlights Horners apparent forced separation from the Museum of the Rockies.
“Jack Horner, the famous Montana State paleontologist who put dinosaur fossils on the world stage, said he was stripped of responsibilities and forced out of the Museum of the Rockies.”
“I retired. Let’s put it this way: Had that situation not existed, I would probably still be there. I would have spent at least a couple more years there,” Horner told the Chronicle. “It would have been nice to do some more work on dinosaur eggs. It would have been nice to continue my field work a little longer. They were trying to get rid of me and that’s what they did; they told me I couldn’t do anything.”
According to Horner, he believes he may have been pushed out as a result of his marriage to a 19 year old MSU student. He was 70 at the time.
Chapman’s Director of Strategic Communications and Public Relations, Robert Hitchcock, released a statement on behalf of Chapman.
“We are aware of the email correspondence,” said Hitchcock. “President Emeritus Daniele Struppa is the object of angry emails by a person who was upset that Struppa had taken swift and decisive action as president in response to a report of improper conduct.”
Regarding Horner, Hitchcock said the university is seriously looking into the nature of the emails.
