**
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has reportedly initiated a criminal investigation concerning E Jean Carroll, the writer who successfully secured a $5 million civil judgement against former President Donald Trump in 2023. This legal victory stemmed from a federal jury’s determination that Trump sexually assaulted Carroll in 1996 and subsequently defamed her in 2022 when he denied the allegations. The inquiry appears to centre on allegations of perjury related to Carroll’s testimony in her civil suits against Trump.
Investigation Focuses on Perjury Allegations
According to sources cited by CNN, the DOJ’s investigation is primarily aimed at determining whether Carroll committed perjury during her depositions. The focus is particularly on her 2022 statement claiming that she had not received any external financial support for her lawsuit. However, just months later, Carroll’s legal team disclosed to the presiding judge and Trump’s counsel that a nonprofit organisation, funded by Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, had contributed to Carroll’s legal expenses.
Carroll’s attorneys clarified that she had no direct contact with anyone from the nonprofit. This revelation prompted the judge to permit further questioning of Carroll by Trump’s attorney, Alina Habba, in a subsequent deposition.
Documentary Features Carroll’s Testimony
Excerpts from Carroll’s depositions were highlighted in the recent documentary, *Ask E Jean*, which premiered in New York last week. The film sheds light on Carroll’s legal battles and her pursuit of justice against Trump. Carroll, who attended the screening alongside her attorney, Robbie Kaplan, has become a central figure in a high-profile narrative intertwining celebrity, politics, and the fight against sexual abuse.
In the civil cases, juries awarded Carroll substantial damages, a decision Trump is currently appealing. The former president is contesting the $5 million awarded in the sexual abuse case as well as $83 million in the defamation case, consistently attempting to have these rulings overturned.
Previous Court Rulings on Testimony
Interestingly, a three-judge panel from a federal appeals court in New York had previously dismissed claims that Carroll had lied in her deposition. The court’s opinion, delivered on 30 December 2024, noted that Carroll credibly stated she had forgotten about the limited outside funding when she was first questioned in 2022. The judges highlighted that Carroll had minimal involvement in discussions regarding the funding of her litigation costs, and had not been privy to the political affiliations of the entities funding her case.
Andrew Boutros, the US attorney for the Northern District of Illinois—who was appointed by Trump—has been identified as overseeing the current investigation. Meanwhile, Todd Blanche, the acting Attorney General who previously defended Trump in the Carroll case, has reportedly recused himself from the inquiry due to potential conflicts of interest.
Controversies Surrounding the Investigation
The investigation into Carroll’s testimony comes amidst ongoing scrutiny of Boutros himself. A defence attorney for a protester whose case was dismissed recently suggested in a Chicago court that Boutros may have had inappropriate interactions with the grand jury involved in that case. This adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious legal environment.
Why it Matters
This investigation not only highlights the ongoing legal battles between E Jean Carroll and Donald Trump but also raises significant questions about the integrity of the judicial process. As the DOJ delves into allegations of perjury, the ramifications could extend beyond Carroll’s case, potentially influencing future legal proceedings involving high-profile figures and issues of sexual misconduct. The outcome of this investigation may reshape public perceptions of accountability within the legal system, particularly regarding the treatment of victims of sexual abuse in the face of powerful adversaries.
