A small U.K. dinosaur convention says it is taking action over the Jeffrey Epstein files in a way the U.S. government has not.
DinoCon UK, a fan-focused event centered on paleontology and prehistoric life, announced on X that it is banning certain scientists, authors, and researchers allegedly linked to correspondence with Epstein’s organization after his conviction.
The move comes amid renewed public scrutiny over who appears in court documents and investigative files related to the disgraced financier.
“We at DinoCon take the safety of our attendees, speakers, and staff very seriously,” the organization wrote.
“As a result of the release of half of the Epstein files, it has come to light that a select number of scientists, authors, and researchers relevant to the field of palaeontology allegedly engaged in correspondence with members of the Epstein organisation after the conviction of Jeffrey Epstein. We want to state that all respective individuals are banned from all of our events.”
The group did not name specific individuals in its post. It also expanded its ban beyond those allegedly involved.
“Additionally, we find it deplorable that some established palaeontological organisations are not taking firm action to protect their members in light of these allegations,” the post continued.
“As such, executive committee members from organisations that are not issuing public bans to these individuals are also banned from our events. We do not tolerate those who allow this behaviour to go unchallenged within our community.”
Reaction on X was largely supportive.
“Respectable. Props. Lead the charge,” one person wrote.
Another person added, “Dear Dinocon, can you please replace our entire US government?”
A separate post called it a “good statement.”
One person joked, “The paleontological community will not tolerate people having skeletons in their closets …”
Little Legal Fallout In The United States
The announcement stands in contrast to what has happened in the United States.
Apart from Epstein, who died in federal custody in 2019 while awaiting trial, and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 and is serving a 20-year sentence, no other individuals have been criminally convicted in connection with the files.
In recent months, the debate has shifted toward whether public officials were fully transparent about what the Justice Department’s review of Epstein-related material found.
At a Feb. 11 House Judiciary Committee hearing, Democrats sharply questioned Attorney General Pam Bondi’s testimony about what the Justice Department’s review showed, with some lawmakers saying her answers were untruthful. Bondi disputed those characterizations.
Separately, FBI Director Kash Patel faced pointed questioning during oversight hearings in 2025 about what he told Bondi regarding the contents of the files.
Some lawmakers publicly described his answers as dishonest. Patel has denied lying under oath and has rejected accusations that he committed perjury.
A Reputational Judgment Instead Of A Criminal Case
That gap between public suspicion and legal outcomes appears to be part of what prompted DinoCon’s action.
Unlike federal prosecutors, the convention is not bound by criminal standards of proof. It can set its own participation rules.
By banning individuals allegedly linked through correspondence, and even executive committee members of organizations that do not impose bans, DinoCon is making a reputational judgment instead of a legal one.
Whether other academic or fan communities follow suit remains to be seen.
For now, a dinosaur-themed gathering in the United Kingdom has drawn a line that the U.S. justice system, at least so far, has not.