The United States Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, focusing on whether she committed perjury during the course of her high-profile civil litigation against former President Donald Trump. The inquiry centers on testimony provided by Carroll during a 2022 deposition, specifically regarding her claims that she did not receive outside financial support for her legal battles.

Legal filings previously revealed that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman contributed to the funding of Carroll’s legal expenses. While the issue was addressed during the appeals process, a 2024 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second District noted that Carroll had plausibly represented that she had forgotten about the limited outside funding. The court suggested that Carroll was not directly involved in the administrative details of her litigation costs, yet the federal investigation is now examining whether her statements under oath constituted a knowing and willful falsehood.

The investigation is reportedly being spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, a jurisdiction linked to the location of a non-profit organization associated with Hoffman. Legal experts note that while perjury investigations are possible, securing a conviction requires proving that the defendant intentionally lied under oath, a standard that remains difficult to meet in cases stemming from civil disputes. Furthermore, Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the matter due to his prior role as legal counsel for Trump in the civil cases involving Carroll.

This development follows a series of legal confrontations between Trump and Carroll, including two separate civil judgments in which Trump was found liable for sexual assault and defamation. Trump has consistently denied the allegations and is currently seeking to have the initial verdict overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. As the investigation proceeds, it remains unclear whether the Department of Justice will pursue formal charges, as the mere existence of an inquiry does not guarantee an indictment.