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The Justice Department has begun a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, a former columnist whom President Donald Trump was found guilty of sexually abusing, according to US media reports.
CNN and The New York Times reported, citing people familiar with the matter, that the inquiry focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury in her two civil cases against Trump. The former president has repeatedly called for his Justice Department to pursue legal action against individuals he considers political or personal adversaries.
In one of the civil cases, Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a New York department store in 1996. In a separate case, a jury found Trump liable for defamation over statements in which he denied the allegations and publicly criticised Carroll.
According to CNN, prosecutors are reviewing a 2022 deposition in which Carroll said she did not receive outside funding for her lawsuits. However, it was later reported that billionaire Reid Hoffman had contributed to her legal expenses.
The New York Times reported that federal prosecutor Andrew S. Boutros, who was appointed during Trump’s administration, initiated the inquiry.
The Justice Department has not yet responded to requests for comment.
