DOJ Probes E. Jean Carroll for Alleged Perjury on Funding Statements
The DOJ is investigating E. Jean Carroll for alleged perjury about funding in a 2022 deposition.
Why it matters: Legal professionals should track this probe for its implications on accountability, ethical obligations, and litigation strategy involving external funding disclosures in civil cases.
- The DOJ's criminal investigation centers on whether Carroll lied about receiving third-party funding in her 2022 deposition.
- The U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago is leading the investigation; Acting AG Todd Blanche is recused due to prior representation of Donald Trump.
- A nonprofit connected to Reid Hoffman funded Carroll's legal expenses in her lawsuits against Trump.
- Carroll won $5 million in a 2023 sexual abuse trial and $83.3 million in a 2024 defamation case against Trump, who has appealed the latter verdict.
The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll focusing on allegations that she committed perjury — knowingly making false statements under oath — during a 2022 deposition in her civil lawsuits against former President Donald Trump. Specifically, Carroll stated under oath that she had not received outside funding to support her claims, statements now under scrutiny for possible falsehood. A nonprofit linked to Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, reportedly provided financial support for Carroll's legal expenses, which is central to the inquiry.The Guardian
The investigation is being conducted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from involvement due to his past legal work representing Donald Trump.ABC News
Carroll previously obtained significant legal victories: in 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse from an incident in 1996, awarding Carroll $5 million, and in 2024, she won an $83.3 million defamation judgment after Trump made public statements denying the abuse allegations. Trump has appealed the defamation verdict and posted a $7.4 million bond pending Supreme Court review.AP News
This investigation brings into focus key issues for the legal profession, including the ethical duty to disclose funding sources accurately under oath and the risks of undermining trust in the judicial process. It also highlights how litigation strategy can be affected when external funding is involved, underscoring the importance of transparency in complex civil cases.
By the numbers:
- $5 million — Carroll's 2023 sexual abuse verdict
- $83.3 million — Carroll's 2024 defamation award
- $7.4 million — bond posted by Trump pending appeal
Yes, but: Details on the full scope and timeline of the DOJ investigation have not been publicly disclosed, limiting insight into its potential outcomes.
What's next: Monitoring the progress of the DOJ probe and any resulting charges will be critical for understanding future impacts on civil litigation funding disclosure and legal ethics enforcement.