The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll, the author who accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s. The probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury during civil lawsuits against Trump by allegedly lying about receiving outside funding for her legal expenses.
Key Takeaways
The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll for potential perjury related to her civil lawsuits against Donald Trump. The probe focuses on whether she lied about receiving outside funding during a 2022 deposition, after it was revealed that billionaire Reid Hoffman paid some of her legal fees. Carroll won two civil suits against Trump, securing $5 million in damages for sexual assault and defamation in 2023, and an additional $83.3 million for defamation in 2024.
- Justice Department investigates E Jean Carroll for alleged perjury
- Probe focuses on statements about outside funding during civil lawsuits against Trump
- Billionaire Reid Hoffman revealed to have paid some of Carroll's legal fees
- Carroll won $5 million and $83.3 million in two separate defamation suits against Trump
According to The Guardian, investigators are examining statements Carroll made in a 2022 deposition where she claimed she had not accepted external financial support. However, billionaire Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, was later revealed to have paid some of her legal fees and expenses.
Carroll sued Trump in two civil lawsuits, accusing him of sexual assault and defamation. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for both counts, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages. A second jury in 2024 awarded her an additional $83.3 million in damages for defamation related to comments Trump made about her in 2019.
The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, as reported by CBS News. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the case due to his previous role representing Trump in some of the litigation. The Justice Department and Carroll's legal representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The probe is part of a broader pattern of the Trump administration launching criminal investigations into political opponents, according to Time. Federal prosecutors have also investigated former FBI chief James Comey, New York attorney general Letitia James, and Democratic members of Congress including Adam Schiff and Ilhan Omar. However, these investigations have not yet resulted in convictions.
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