DOJ probes Trump accuser E. Jean Carroll for perjury in civil case testimony

The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the author who successfully sued Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The investigation centers on allegations of perjury during her testimony in the civil cases.

A source familiar with the matter revealed that the probe, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, is examining whether Carroll lied under oath about not receiving external financial support for her lawsuits. This comes after her legal team disclosed that Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, had contributed to her legal expenses.

Carroll, who accused Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s, secured significant jury verdicts against the former president. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting and defaming her, awarding her $5 million. A subsequent jury in January 2024 ordered Trump to pay $83.3 million in damages for defamation.

Trump has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing. The Justice Department's investigation into Carroll, which may or may not lead to charges, occurs as Trump continues his legal battles with the writer. Notably, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has been recused from this investigation due to his prior role as one of Trump's personal attorneys in the Carroll appeals.