DOJ Launches Criminal Perjury Investigation into Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, who won $88.3 million in civil judgments against President Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury in a 2022 deposition by denying outside funding for her lawsuit, which later revealed support from a nonprofit tied to billionaire Reid Hoffman. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself due to prior work as Trump’s attorney. The investigation is seen as politically charged, with Trump seeking to avoid paying damages.
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DOJ Probes Reid Hoffman Nonprofit Over E. Jean Carroll Legal Fee Donations
The Department of Justice is reportedly investigating American Future Republic, a nonprofit backed by Democratic billionaire and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, over donations made to help pay the legal fees of columnist E. Jean Carroll. Carroll successfully sued President Donald Trump for assault and defamation, resulting in a judgment of over $88 million against Trump. Attorney Mark Sedlander discussed the probe on Forbes Newsroom, expressing concerns about the investigation's implications. The probe focuses on the source and purpose of donations to the nonprofit, which were used to support Carroll's legal battle against Trump.
Forbes - BusinessReid Hoffman calls DOJ probe into his nonprofit funding E. Jean Carroll's case 'retaliation'
LinkedIn cofounder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman accused President Donald Trump of retaliation after reports emerged that the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into issues tied to Hoffman's nonprofit, American Future Republic, which helped fund E. Jean Carroll's legal expenses. Carroll won two civil judgments against Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The reported probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury regarding who paid her legal fees. Hoffman posted a five-part thread on X, stating Trump cannot use the government to go after women who speak up or their supporters. Trump's lawyers had previously argued Carroll lied under oath about the funding, but the judge ruled it had no bearing on her credibility.
All Content from Business InsiderBillionaire Reid Hoffman Blasts Trump’s E. Jean Carroll Probe As He Becomes A Target
Billionaire Democratic megadonor Reid Hoffman publicly criticized the Trump administration's reported criminal investigation into his support for writer E. Jean Carroll, who won nearly $100 million in defamation and assault lawsuits against President Donald Trump. The New York Times reported that Hoffman and his nonprofit American Future Republic are the main targets of the DOJ inquiry, not Carroll herself. Initial reports had suggested the investigation focused on Carroll for potential perjury over undisclosed funding. The Justice Department denied investigating Carroll, leading sources to clarify Hoffman is the subject. Hoffman called the accusations 'absurdly false' and stated he will not 'bend the knee' to Trump. A federal appeals court previously ruled there was 'no evidence' Carroll was personally involved with securing the nonprofit's funding.
Forbes - BusinessTrump DOJ Investigates E. Jean Carroll for Perjury Amid Last-Ditch Effort to Avoid $100 Million Payment
The Trump administration's Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll for potential perjury, focusing on her 2022 deposition testimony about legal funding. This comes as Trump faces mounting pressure to pay nearly $100 million in damages from two defamation and sexual assault verdicts won by Carroll. Trump is pursuing multiple legal avenues to avoid payment, including asking the Supreme Court to hear appeals of both verdicts and seeking to have the federal government substituted as defendant in one case. The investigation is seen as a politically motivated move against a perceived enemy. Carroll's legal funding came from a nonprofit tied to Democratic billionaire Reid Hoffman, but an appeals court previously found no evidence Carroll knew about the funding source. The Supreme Court has repeatedly delayed ruling on whether to hear Trump's appeal of the first $5 million verdict.
Forbes - BusinessDOJ opens criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll over perjury allegations
The U.S. Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who won $88.3 million in civil judgments against President Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury in a 2022 deposition by denying her lawsuit received outside funding. Two weeks before the 2023 trial, Carroll's lawyers disclosed that billionaire Reid Hoffman's nonprofit had paid some legal expenses. The judge allowed further questioning but found no credibility issue. A 2024 federal appeals panel dismissed the perjury claim. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself due to prior representation of Trump, and the investigation was referred to Chicago prosecutors. The probe may not lead to charges, and similar DOJ investigations into Trump foes have faced legal obstacles.
TheWeek feedDOJ opens criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll over perjury allegations
The U.S. Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who won $88.3 million in civil judgments against President Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury in a 2022 deposition by denying her lawsuit received outside funding. Two weeks before the 2023 trial, Carroll's lawyers disclosed that billionaire Reid Hoffman's nonprofit had paid some legal expenses. The judge allowed additional questioning but found no credibility issue. A 2024 federal appeals panel dismissed the perjury claim. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself due to prior representation of Trump, and the investigation was referred to Chicago prosecutors. The probe may not lead to charges, and similar DOJ investigations into Trump foes have faced legal obstacles.
TheWeek feedDOJ Opens Criminal Investigation into E. Jean Carroll Over Perjury Allegations
The U.S. Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who won $88.3 million in civil judgments against President Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation. The probe focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury in a 2022 deposition by denying her lawsuit received outside funding. Two weeks before the 2023 trial, Carroll's lawyers disclosed that billionaire Reid Hoffman's nonprofit had paid some legal expenses. The judge allowed additional questioning but found no credibility issue. A 2024 federal appeals panel dismissed the perjury claim. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself due to prior representation of Trump, and the investigation was referred to federal prosecutors in Chicago. The probe may not lead to charges, and similar DOJ investigations into Trump foes have faced legal obstacles.
TheWeek feedTrump Administration Opens Criminal Investigation into E. Jean Carroll for Perjury
The U.S. Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, probing whether she committed perjury in her civil cases against former President Donald Trump. The investigation centers on a 2022 deposition where Carroll claimed she received no outside funding for her lawsuit, which later proved false when it was revealed that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman paid some of her legal fees. This development comes after Trump was found liable for sexually assaulting Carroll in 2023 and lost a defamation case in 2024, with two juries awarding her $88.3 million in damages, though payments remain stalled pending Supreme Court review. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney, has been recused from the investigation but is accused of pressuring the DOJ to target Trump's personal foes.
The New RepublicTrump Administration Opens DOJ Perjury Investigation into E. Jean Carroll
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, probing whether she committed perjury in her civil cases against President Donald Trump. Trump was found liable by a jury in May 2023 for sexually assaulting Carroll in the mid-1990s, and later lost a defamation case. Two juries awarded Carroll $88.3 million in damages, but she has not received payment as Trump appeals to the Supreme Court. The perjury investigation centers on a 2022 deposition where Carroll claimed no outside funding for her lawsuit, which was later contradicted by revelations that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman paid some legal fees. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, previously Trump's personal attorney, has been recused from the investigation but is described as advancing Trump's retribution campaign against personal foes.
The New RepublicTrump Administration Opens DOJ Perjury Investigation into E. Jean Carroll
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, probing whether she committed perjury in her civil cases against President Donald Trump. The investigation centers on a 2022 deposition where Carroll claimed she received no outside funding for her lawsuit, which later proved false after it was revealed that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman paid some of her legal fees. This development comes despite Trump being found liable by a jury in May 2023 for sexually assaulting Carroll in the mid-1990s, and losing a subsequent defamation case. Two juries awarded Carroll $88.3 million in damages, but Trump has not paid, with a federal appeals court allowing him to delay payments pending Supreme Court review. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney, has been recused from the investigation but has reportedly pressured the DOJ to target Trump's personal adversaries since taking office in April.
The New RepublicDOJ Opens Criminal Probe Into Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll, Who Won $83 Million Suit Against Him
The U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault and won an $83.3 million defamation judgment against him. The probe, led by Trump appointee Andrew S. Boutros, focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury during her 2022 deposition, specifically regarding outside funding for her civil suit. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself due to his prior work as Trump's personal attorney in the case. The investigation centers on Carroll's statement that she received no outside funding, while court filings later revealed a Chicago nonprofit linked to billionaire and Trump critic Reid Hoffman helped cover some expenses. Trump's lawyers had previously attacked Carroll over the funding issue, though her lawyers argued it did not affect the case's merits. Carroll first accused Trump of sexual assault in 2019, leading to two civil lawsuits that resulted in $5 million and $83.3 million judgments against Trump.
Forbes - BusinessDOJ Launches Criminal Investigation into Trump Accuser E. Jean Carroll for Perjury
The Department of Justice has reportedly initiated a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused former President Donald Trump of sexual assault. According to multiple reports, including CNN's initial report on Wednesday night, the probe centers on whether Carroll committed perjury during a deposition in her two civil lawsuits against Trump. The investigation marks a significant escalation in the legal battle between Carroll and Trump, who has denied the allegations. Carroll's civil cases have already resulted in a jury finding Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding her $5 million in damages. The DOJ's criminal inquiry adds a new dimension to the ongoing legal proceedings, potentially exposing Carroll to criminal penalties if convicted of perjury.
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