The top federal prosecutor in Chicago, Andrew Boutros, has denied reports that his office is investigating E. Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault. This clarification comes after several media outlets, citing anonymous sources, claimed that the Justice Department was looking into possible perjury allegations against Carroll.
Clarification on Investigation Focus
Boutros, the U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, issued a statement emphasizing that no criminal investigation into Carroll has been initiated by his office. Initial reports suggested that investigators were focusing on Carroll, but it was later clarified that the actual focus was on a nonprofit organization that helped fund her legal case against Trump.
The confusion arose from reports by the Associated Press and other news organizations, which cited anonymous sources claiming that Carroll was under investigation. However, these sources later clarified that the investigation centered on a Chicago-based nonprofit backed by Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, which had financially supported Carroll’s case.
Background on Carroll’s Legal Battles
Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store in 1996, allegations that Trump has dismissed as politically motivated. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll, awarding her $5 million. A subsequent defamation case related to Trump’s social media posts resulted in an $83.3 million award to Carroll.
Reports of the investigation into Carroll’s statements during civil litigation have fueled concerns among Democrats and former officials about the Justice Department’s independence from political influence. These concerns are heightened by previous investigations initiated by Trump’s Justice Department against perceived adversaries.
Legal and Financial Implications
The reports indicated that the Justice Department was scrutinizing Carroll’s statement regarding the funding of her legal fees. It was revealed that Hoffman’s nonprofit had contributed to her case, which Trump’s lawyers argued could indicate political motivation. However, Carroll explained that she had forgotten about the limited outside funding when initially questioned.
Hoffman defended his financial support, stating that supporting women’s progress and justice has been a longstanding priority for him. Meanwhile, a court ruling has allowed Trump to delay the payment of the jury award until the U.S. Supreme Court reviews the case or rejects an appeal, provided he posts a $7.4 million bond to cover additional interest costs.
Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.
