The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, whose lawsuits against President Donald Trump resulted in multimillion-dollar judgments.
According to CBS News and CNN, federal prosecutors are examining whether Carroll committed perjury during her civil cases against Trump. The probe is being led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
Carroll, a former magazine columnist, accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in the mid-1990s inside a New York department store dressing room. She later sued him for defamation after he denied the allegations publicly. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. A second case in 2024 resulted in an $83 million judgment against Trump for further defamatory remarks.
Trump has denied all accusations and appealed both rulings to the U.S. Supreme Court. He has vowed to continue fighting the judgments, calling Carroll’s claims fabricated.
The new criminal inquiry centers on Carroll’s 2022 deposition, in which she stated she had not received outside funding for her lawsuits. Trump’s lawyers later revealed that Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, had helped cover some of Carroll’s legal expenses.
Court documents show that Carroll’s testimony was challenged during appeals, but judges ruled she had “plausibly represented” that she forgot about the limited outside funding. The Second Circuit Court of Appeals concluded Carroll was not directly involved in arranging financial support for her legal team.
Despite that ruling, prosecutors are now investigating whether Carroll knowingly misled the court. CNN reported that Hoffman’s nonprofit organization, based in Chicago, may have drawn jurisdiction to Illinois.
Carroll’s legal team has not commented on the investigation. The DOJ also declined to confirm details.
The case has political undertones. Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously represented Trump in Carroll’s appeals, has recused himself from the probe. Since returning to office, Trump has repeatedly urged the DOJ to pursue his adversaries.
The Justice Department recently announced a $1.8 billion compensation fund for individuals deemed unfairly investigated under past administrations. The plan has drawn criticism from both Democrats and Republicans, with concerns that it could benefit those involved in the January 6 Capitol attack.
Carroll’s lawsuits against Trump became a landmark in holding a sitting president accountable for personal misconduct. The criminal investigation now raises questions about whether her credibility will withstand further scrutiny.
For Trump, the probe offers a potential opening to challenge Carroll’s victories in court. For Carroll, it represents another legal battle in a saga that has already spanned years and reshaped public debate about accountability, power, and justice in America.
The outcome of the investigation could influence Trump’s appeals before the Supreme Court and may affect broader discussions about political influence over the Justice Department.
As the probe unfolds, the case underscores the intersection of law, politics, and personal testimony in one of the most contentious legal battles involving a U.S. president.
