The United States Department of Justice has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former columnist who previously accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault, according to US media reports citing people familiar with the matter.
The inquiry is said to be focused on whether Carroll committed perjury during her two civil lawsuits against Trump. The development comes after Trump, who has repeatedly called for legal action against his perceived political opponents, urged the Justice Department to pursue accountability in cases involving individuals linked to disputes with him.
Carroll had accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store in 1996, a claim that formed the basis of one of her civil lawsuits. In a separate case, a jury found Trump liable for defamation over public statements in which he denied the allegation and criticized Carroll, resulting in a court order requiring him to pay $83.3 million in damages.
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According to reports, prosecutors are reviewing statements Carroll made during a 2022 deposition in which she said she did not receive outside financial support for her lawsuits. It was later reported that billionaire Reid Hoffman had covered certain legal fees and expenses, a discrepancy now believed to be part of the inquiry.
The reported investigation is being led by federal prosecutor Andrew S. Boutros, who was appointed during the Trump administration, CNN and The New York Times said. US Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is not involved in the matter due to his prior role as one of Trump’s personal lawyers in the Carroll cases.
The development has reignited debate over the independence of the Justice Department, with critics arguing that recent and past legal actions involving Trump-related adversaries reflect growing political pressure on federal law enforcement institutions. The Justice Department has not publicly commented on the reported investigation.
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