Justice Department Investigates E. Jean Carroll for Perjury
5 verified5 unconfirmed
The Justice Department has opened a criminal perjury investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused President Donald Trump of sexual abuse. The investigation centers on a statement Carroll made in 2022 about not receiving outside funding for her civil lawsuits against Trump. Carroll had previously won two civil judgments against Trump, with awards totaling more than $88 million, after a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and defamation in 2023. Trump continues to appeal those judgments, which have not yet been paid. The investigation has not produced an indictment and may not, according to reports. Both sources note that the perjury allegation relates to a funding disclosure issue that was addressed before trial.
What’s verified
The Justice Department has opened a criminal perjury investigation into E. Jean Carroll.
The investigation centers on a statement Carroll made in 2022 about not receiving outside funding for her civil lawsuits against Trump.
A jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation of Carroll in 2023.
Carroll was awarded more than $88 million in total from two civil judgments against Trump.
Trump continues to appeal those judgments.
Not yet confirmed
A federal appeals court concluded in 2024 that there was no evidence Carroll’s misstatement about funding was intentional, according to one source.
The investigation is being conducted in Chicago, and the top prosecutor there denied its existence, though sources later reaffirmed it to CNN, according to one source.
Some House Republicans who pushed for the expulsion of lawmakers Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales over sexual misconduct have not applied the same standard to Trump, according to one source.
Carroll’s age is reported as 82 by one source.
The Second Circuit upheld the defamation judgment against Trump in September 2025, according to one source.
Key figures
E. Jean Carroll, President Donald Trump
Sources: vox.com, washingtonmonthly.com
