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The developing case has placed E. Jean Carroll back in the national spotlight following her high-profile courtroom victories against Trump in recent years.

According to sources familiar with the matter, the investigation is being conducted by the United States Department of Justice through the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois.

The inquiry reportedly centers on whether Carroll falsely testified during a 2022 deposition when she stated she had not received outside financial support for her lawsuits against Trump.

E. Jean Carroll is Focus of Another Investigation

The issue reportedly stems from later revelations that billionaire entrepreneur Reid Hoffman helped fund portions of Carroll’s legal expenses.

Federal investigators are examining whether Carroll knowingly misrepresented that information under oath during pretrial proceedings.

The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed details of the investigation, and officials have declined to comment. Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, has also declined public comment regarding the matter.

More information about the Justice Department can be found at U.S. Department of Justice.

E. Jean Carroll Multiple Civil Lawsuits Against Trump

Carroll filed multiple lawsuits accusing Trump of sexual assault and defamation.

In a 2023 civil trial, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation stemming from comments he made denying Carroll’s accusations. Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages.

A second jury verdict in 2024 awarded Carroll $83.3 million after jurors determined Trump had continued to defame her through statements made in 2019.

Both judgments were later upheld on appeal.

Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations and has maintained that the claims were fabricated.

The lawsuits stemmed from Carroll’s allegation that Trump sexually assaulted her in the mid-1990s inside a dressing room at the luxury department store Bergdorf Goodman.

Carroll first publicly detailed the accusation in a 2019 article published by New York Magazine.

Questions About Funding and Testimony

The latest criminal investigation appears to focus less on the assault allegations themselves and more on Carroll’s testimony regarding litigation funding.

According to reports, Trump’s attorneys uncovered evidence in 2023 showing that Hoffman had provided financial support connected to the lawsuits.

The issue became part of appellate arguments filed by Trump’s legal team.

However, the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit previously ruled that Carroll had “plausibly represented” that she simply forgot about the outside financial assistance.

The appeals court stated there was no indication Carroll personally managed or closely tracked who was funding her legal expenses.

That earlier ruling may complicate any future criminal case involving allegations of intentional false testimony.

Information about the federal court system is available at United States Courts.

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Todd Blanche Recused from E. Jean Carroll Matter

One notable aspect of the case is that Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has reportedly recused himself from the investigation.

Blanche previously represented Trump during portions of the civil litigation involving Carroll, creating a potential conflict of interest.

The recusal is intended to ensure the investigation proceeds independently.

Reid Hoffman Previously Explained His Support

Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, publicly acknowledged helping support Carroll’s legal effort in a 2023 interview with the Washington Post.

According to Hoffman, his team chose to assist after Carroll had already filed her lawsuit.

“My team looked at it, thought that her voice should be heard because she was challenging someone who was so much more wealthy and powerful,” Hoffman reportedly said.

Hoffman emphasized that his involvement did not encourage the lawsuit itself but instead helped ensure Carroll could continue pursuing the case.

E. Jean Carroll had a Journalism Career

Before becoming nationally known for her lawsuits against Trump, Carroll spent decades working as a writer and columnist.

She served as an advice columnist for ELLE Magazine from 1993 until 2020 and later became a contributing writer for The Atlantic.

Her journalism career also included contributions to Vanity Fair, New York Magazine, and Playboy, where she became the publication’s first female contributing editor.

According to her public biography, Carroll attended Indiana University Bloomington and later studied at Stanford University.

Political and Legal Fallout Continues

The renewed scrutiny surrounding Carroll comes amid ongoing political tensions between Trump and his critics as the former president continues to battle multiple legal challenges.

Legal experts say the investigation could become politically contentious because it intersects with previously litigated claims involving a sitting president and a highly polarized public debate.

At this stage, no criminal charges have been filed against Carroll, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Relevant Links

• U.S. Department of Justice
• United States Courts
• New York Magazine
• The Atlantic
• ELLE Magazine
• LinkedIn