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DOJ launches criminal inquiry into Carroll
The US Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into writer E Jean Carroll over potential perjury in her civil lawsuits against former President Donald Trump, CBS News reports.
Focus of the investigation
Prosecutors are examining whether Carroll lied during a 2022 deposition when she stated she received no external funding for her legal battle against Trump. Court documents later revealed that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had contributed to her legal fees.
The US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit previously ruled that Carroll had "plausibly represented" forgetting about the limited outside funding, noting she was not directly involved in managing litigation costs.
Background of the civil cases
Carroll, a former magazine columnist, accused Trump of sexual assault in the mid-1990s and defamation for his public denials. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual assault and defamation, ordering him to pay $5 million. A second lawsuit in 2024 resulted in an $83 million award for defamatory remarks Trump made in 2019.
Trump has appealed both rulings to the US Supreme Court and continues to deny the allegations.
Legal and political context
The investigation is being led by the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, reportedly due to Hoffman's Chicago-based nonprofit involvement in funding Carroll's legal expenses. Carroll's deposition, however, took place in New York.
Acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche, who represented Trump in the appeals, has recused himself from the case. The DOJ has not commented, nor have Carroll or Hoffman's representatives.
Broader implications
Trump has repeatedly urged the DOJ to prosecute his political opponents since returning to office. The department recently established a $1.8 billion fund to compensate individuals allegedly unfairly investigated under previous administrations, drawing bipartisan criticism over concerns it could benefit January 6 Capitol rioters.
"The DOJ must ensure its actions remain impartial and above political influence," said a Republican lawmaker who opposed the fund.
