DOJ Launches Criminal Probe into E. Jean Carroll Over Alleged Perjury in Funding Disclosure

Washington D.C. — The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the former magazine columnist known for her successful civil lawsuits against former President Donald Trump. The probe centers on allegations that Carroll committed perjury regarding the financial backing of her legal battles, a development that injects a new layer of complexity into one of the most high-profile legal sagas of recent years. Multiple media outlets reported the investigation on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, marking a significant turn in the ongoing public and legal scrutiny surrounding Carroll.

The Genesis of the Perjury Allegations

The criminal investigation by the Justice Department reportedly focuses on a specific statement made by Carroll during a 2022 deposition. In that testimony, Carroll asserted that she had not received any outside funding for her lawsuits against Donald Trump. However, it was later revealed that billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had provided financial support for some of her legal fees and expenses. This apparent discrepancy between Carroll's sworn statement and the subsequent disclosure of Hoffman's contributions forms the core of the perjury allegations now under review by federal prosecutors.

Legal experts suggest that such investigations examine whether a witness knowingly made false statements under oath, a serious offense that can carry significant penalties. The revelation of Hoffman's involvement reportedly emerged prior to one of Carroll's trials, when her attorneys informed the court and Trump's legal team about the funding. This late disclosure prompted questions from Trump's legal camp regarding Carroll's credibility and the transparency of her legal financing. Carroll's lawyers maintained that she never met or communicated with anyone associated with the nonprofit that channeled Hoffman's funding.

Context of High-Stakes Litigation

This criminal probe unfolds against the backdrop of Carroll's successful civil actions against Donald Trump. E. Jean Carroll first publicly accused Trump of sexual assault in 2019, alleging an encounter in a Manhattan department store in the mid-1990s. She subsequently filed two civil lawsuits against him. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her, awarding her $5 million in damages. A separate jury in September 2025 ordered Trump to pay $83 million in another defamation case related to his repeated attacks on her character after her accusations became public. Both judgments are currently under appeal by Trump.

The intensity and high public interest surrounding these civil cases have made every detail, including the funding of legal representation, subject to intense scrutiny. The Justice Department's decision to launch a criminal investigation into Carroll herself highlights the gravity with which federal authorities view potential misrepresentations in sworn testimony, particularly in cases of such national prominence.

DOJ’s Role and Leadership

The Department of Justice, under acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, has reportedly taken up this investigation. However, Blanche has recused himself from the matter due to his prior professional relationship with Donald Trump, having served as one of Trump's personal attorneys in the appeals related to Carroll's civil suits. The investigation is reportedly being led by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, Andrew Boutros. This recusal is a standard practice to avoid conflicts of interest, ensuring that the investigation proceeds without any appearance of bias stemming from the acting Attorney General's previous work.

The initiation of such a probe by the DOJ has drawn attention, with some reports suggesting it is part of a broader pattern of investigations launched by the department into figures perceived as opponents of former President Trump. While the DOJ has declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, spokespersons have confirmed that no U.S. Attorney's Office has declined to investigate any case relating to the subject matter of the inquiry.

Potential Implications and Next Steps

A criminal investigation by the Justice Department is a serious undertaking that could lead to charges being brought against E. Jean Carroll, although the launch of a probe does not guarantee an indictment. The process typically involves gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and presenting findings to a grand jury, which would then decide whether there is sufficient evidence to issue an indictment.

For E. Jean Carroll, who has already navigated years of intense legal battles and public scrutiny, this investigation introduces a new and potentially challenging chapter. Her legal team has declined to comment on the development, as has the Department of Justice. The outcome of this probe could have significant ramifications, not only for Carroll personally but also for the broader discourse surrounding the conduct of witnesses in high-profile legal proceedings and the independence of federal investigative bodies. The legal community will closely watch whether this investigation results in charges and how it ultimately impacts the perception of integrity in such critical cases.