DOJ opens perjury inquiry into E. Jean Carroll, reports say
According to reporting cited by Vox, the U.S. Justice Department has opened a criminal inquiry into journalist E. Jean Carroll for alleged perjury during a deposition in her civil case against President Donald Trump. Carroll won $88.3 million in damages after federal juries determined Trump sexually abused her in 1996 and later defamed her. The perjury allegation centers on whether Carroll lied about who was funding her legal fees. In 2020, her attorney told her that an outside source—Democratic donor Reid Hoffman—was funding the lawsuit; during a 2022 deposition, Carroll said no one was “presently paying” her fees. The DOJ’s theory, per CNN and the New York Times, is that she knowingly lied. However, the Second Circuit previously ruled that Carroll plausibly represented she had forgotten about the funding and was not involved in that matter. The Vox article notes that Trump’s attempts to prosecute opponents have repeatedly failed, citing failed cases against James Comey, six Democratic lawmakers, and others.
What’s reported
CNN and the New York Times report that the DOJ has opened a criminal inquiry into E. Jean Carroll for perjury.
Carroll won $88.3 million in damages after juries found Trump sexually abused her in 1996 and defamed her.
The perjury allegation stems from Carroll’s 2022 deposition answer about who was paying her legal fees.
In 2020, Carroll’s attorney informed her that Reid Hoffman was funding the lawsuit.
The Second Circuit ruled that Carroll plausibly forgot about the funding and was not involved in managing it.
The article states Trump’s DOJ has failed to secure indictments in cases against James Comey, six Democratic lawmakers, anti-ICE protesters, and Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Law professor Barb McQuade is quoted saying a conviction is unlikely and that filing such charges to shame someone is an abuse of power.
The article describes the administration’s approach as “haphazardism,” citing authoritarian intent but weak execution.
Key figures
E. Jean Carroll (journalist and plaintiff)
Donald Trump (U.S. President)
Reid Hoffman (Democratic donor mentioned as funder)
Barb McQuade (law professor and former U.S. attorney quoted)
Alan Feuer (New York Times reporter cited)
Sources: vox.com
