Investigation Launched: E. Jean Carroll Under Scrutiny for Perjury

The Justice Department has begun investigating E. Jean Carroll, the writer who accused ex-U.S. President Donald Trump of rape, for alleged perjury in her civil lawsuits against him. This criminal probe focuses on whether Carroll lied about receiving outside funding from LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman for her lawsuit.

The investigation, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, follows a 2022 deposition in which Carroll claimed she did not receive external backing. This new phase does not guarantee criminal charges, according to a source familiar with the ongoing inquiry, originally reported by CNN.

Trump's Justice Department has targeted several of his critics, charging some with crimes. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself due to previous involvement in Trump's legal defense. The department has not commented on the current investigation, nor has Carroll's lawyer.

(With inputs from agencies.)