The Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former magazine columnist who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault. The investigation centers on whether Carroll committed perjury during her testimony in two civil lawsuits against Trump. These lawsuits include allegations of sexual abuse in a New York department store in the mid-1990s and defamation claims following Trump’s public denials in 2019.
Focus on Legal Funding
The investigation scrutinizes a 2022 deposition where Carroll, 82, stated she received no outside funding for her lawsuit. However, it later emerged that billionaire Reid Hoffman had contributed to some of her legal fees and expenses. Carroll’s legal team has not commented on the investigation, and attempts to reach Hoffman were unsuccessful.
A Justice Department spokesperson confirmed that no U.S. Attorney’s Office has declined to investigate the case but declined to provide further comments. The investigation has been referred to federal prosecutors in Chicago, as Hoffman’s nonprofit, which helped fund Carroll’s legal efforts, is based there.
Legal and Political Implications
This probe is part of ongoing efforts by the Justice Department, under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, to address Trump’s demands to investigate his adversaries. Although Blanche has recused himself from this particular case due to his prior involvement as Trump’s attorney, the investigation is being managed by other officials within the deputy attorney general’s office.
Carroll remains engaged in multiple legal battles with Trump, with juries awarding her millions in damages. Trump is appealing these decisions, including a $5 million judgment for sexual abuse and an $83 million defamation case. The Supreme Court has deferred its decision on whether to hear Trump’s appeal multiple times, with the latest deferral occurring recently.
In a separate case, Trump unsuccessfully attempted to involve the Justice Department as a defendant to claim immunity from liability, but an appeals court panel rejected this argument as it was introduced too late in the process.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
