Justice Department Investigation Focuses On E. Jean Carroll’s Civil Case Against Trump
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll, the longtime advice columnist who accused President Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her decades ago, lied during civil litigation against him, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The person who confirmed the investigation was not authorized to publicly discuss an ongoing inquiry and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The perjury investigation is being handled by the federal prosecutors’ office in Chicago, according to the Associated Press. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has not been involved because of his prior work as Trump’s personal attorney.
Lawyers for Carroll did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press on Thursday.
Investigation Adds To Scrutiny Of Trump Administration Justice Department
The inquiry is the latest in a series of Justice Department investigations opened under the Trump administration into people seen as political or legal adversaries of the president. Those actions, including an indictment last month against former FBI Director James Comey, have drawn concern from Democrats and former officials who argue the department should make prosecutorial decisions independently from the White House.
The Justice Department investigation centers on statements Carroll made during the civil litigation about whether anyone else was paying her legal fees. Carroll had said no one else was paying them, but it later became public that a Chicago based organization backed by LinkedIn co founder Reid Hoffman helped fund her case. Trump’s lawyers argued that Carroll concealed that information and said it raised concerns about whether the case was politically motivated.
Carroll Accused Trump Of Assault In A Manhattan Department Store
Carroll has said a chance encounter with Trump in 1996 at Bergdorf Goodman’s Fifth Avenue store in Manhattan became violent. She said Trump pushed her against a dressing room wall, pulled down her tights and forced himself on her.
Trump has denied Carroll’s allegations and has repeatedly called them false. He has also attacked her motivations, saying the allegations were politically driven or tied to an effort to promote her memoir.
In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and awarded her $5 million. The following year, another jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case related to Trump’s social media attacks against her.
The investigation does not mean Carroll has been charged with a crime. Reuters reported that the inquiry is focused on potential perjury tied to her testimony and disclosures about legal funding during the civil cases.
Trump’s Payment Remains Delayed During Appeal Process
A court entry earlier this month said Trump does not have to pay the award immediately while the U.S. Supreme Court has the opportunity to review the case or reject an appeal.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to a request from one of Trump’s attorneys allowing him to delay payment to Carroll. However, the court required Trump to post a $7.4 million bond to cover additional interest costs, which Carroll’s attorney had requested.
The Carroll investigation was first reported by CNN.
