The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into writer and columnist E. Jean Carroll over allegations that she may have committed perjury during testimony connected to her civil lawsuits against U.S. President Donald Trump, according to a source familiar with the matter. The investigation is reportedly being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago and focuses on statements Carroll made regarding outside financial support for her legal battles.
The probe centers on a 2022 deposition in which Carroll allegedly stated that she had not received outside funding for her lawsuits. However, her legal team later disclosed that billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had helped cover some of her legal expenses. Authorities are now examining whether those statements amount to perjury, though sources noted that the investigation may not necessarily lead to criminal charges.
Carroll won two major civil cases against Trump. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming her, awarding her $5 million in damages. A second jury in January 2024 ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in a separate defamation case. Trump has consistently denied the allegations and continues to challenge the rulings in court. Reports also state that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the investigation due to his prior role as one of Trump’s personal attorneys in the Carroll appeals.
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