The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation involving writer and former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll, whose sexual abuse and defamation lawsuits against President Donald Trump resulted in nearly $90 million in civil judgments, according to multiple media reports and sources familiar with the matter. (Reuters)
The inquiry is reportedly focused on whether Carroll made false statements under oath during civil litigation connected to her cases against President Trump. Federal prosecutors are examining questions surrounding testimony about legal funding and financial support connected to the lawsuits. (Reuters)
Investigation Centers on Perjury Allegations
According to Reuters, ABC News, and CBS News, investigators are reviewing whether Carroll committed perjury during a 2022 deposition when she stated that she had not received outside financial assistance for her legal battle against President Trump. (Reuters)
The issue emerged after later court filings revealed that a nonprofit organization connected to LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman helped cover portions of Carroll’s legal expenses. President Trump’s attorneys previously argued that the funding arrangement raised credibility questions and should have been disclosed more fully during litigation. (Reuters)
Federal prosecutors have not publicly accused Carroll of any crime, and no charges have been filed. Legal experts note that the opening of a criminal investigation does not necessarily mean charges will follow. (Reuters)
Chicago Prosecutors Reportedly Leading Inquiry
Several reports said the investigation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago after Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself from the matter due to his previous role as one of President Trump’s personal attorneys. (Reuters)
However, confusion emerged after Andrew Boutros, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, publicly denied reports that his office was directly investigating Carroll herself. Later reporting suggested the broader federal inquiry may instead focus on organizations connected to the funding of Carroll’s lawsuits rather than Carroll as an individual target. (Reuters)
The Justice Department has not released detailed public information about the scope of the investigation. (Reuters)
Carroll Won Major Civil Cases Against Trump
Carroll became one of President Trump’s most prominent legal adversaries after accusing him of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store during the mid-1990s. President Trump has consistently denied the allegation. (Wikipedia)
In 2023, a federal jury found President Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation and awarded Carroll $5 million in damages. In a separate defamation case in 2024, another jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million after finding that President Trump continued making defamatory statements about her following the first verdict. Both judgments remain subject to ongoing appeals. (Wikipedia)
The combined awards totaled approximately $88.3 million, making the litigation one of the most significant civil legal defeats faced by President Trump. (Wikipedia)
Political Controversy Surrounds the Probe
The investigation has immediately drawn political scrutiny because it involves a woman who successfully sued President Trump and because it comes during his second term in office.
Critics of the administration have questioned whether the inquiry could be perceived as politically motivated. Several legal commentators and advocacy groups have pointed to other investigations involving figures who have publicly opposed President Trump, arguing that the pattern has raised concerns about the appearance of political retaliation. (The Guardian)
Supporters of the administration argue that any allegations involving false testimony or undisclosed funding arrangements should be examined regardless of the political identities of those involved. (The Times)
Uncertain Legal Outcome
At present, federal authorities have not announced criminal charges against Carroll, and the exact scope of the inquiry remains unclear.
Recent reporting suggests investigators are also examining the activities of American Future Republic, a nonprofit organization associated with Hoffman that helped finance Carroll’s legal efforts against President Trump. Questions surrounding funding disclosures, nonprofit activities, and testimony provided during litigation are expected to remain central issues as the investigation continues. (Reuters)
Neither Carroll nor her attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has publicly commented in detail on the investigation. The Justice Department has likewise declined to provide extensive public statements regarding the ongoing matter. (Reuters)
Sources
- Reuters
- ABC News
- CBS News
- TIME Magazine
- The Guardian
- Forbes
Editor: Sudhir Choudhary
Tags: E. Jean Carroll, Donald Trump, Department of Justice, Criminal Investigation, Washington DC, Reid Hoffman, U.S. Politics, Federal Court
News by The Vagabond News.
