Federal prosecutors in Chicago are reportedly investigating writer E. Jean Carroll over allegations that she may have made false statements under oath during testimony tied to her civil lawsuits against President Donald Trump, according to multiple news reports.
The inquiry, which was first reported by CNN, is focused on whether her 2022 deposition included inaccurate statements regarding outside financial support for her legal efforts.
At the center of the investigation is Carroll’s sworn testimony in which she stated she had not received outside funding for her litigation against Trump.
Prosecutors are now reviewing whether later disclosures about financial assistance could constitute evidence of perjury under federal law.
The scrutiny stems from revelations that emerged shortly before trial showing that a nonprofit connected to LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman helped cover some of Carroll’s legal expenses.
Hoffman, a billionaire technology entrepreneur, has donated extensively to Democratic candidates and political organizations over the years.
Trump’s legal team previously raised concerns about the timing of those disclosures, arguing that the funding arrangement should have been made clear earlier in the proceedings.
Officials familiar with the matter say the investigation is still in its early stages.
The opening of a criminal probe does not mean charges will be filed, and prosecutors have not alleged wrongdoing at this point.
Instead, they are examining whether Carroll’s deposition statements meet the legal threshold for perjury and whether any discrepancies between sworn testimony and later disclosures are significant under federal standards, according to The Hill.
Carroll first publicly accused Trump in 2019 of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s.
Trump has repeatedly denied the allegation, stating that the claim is false and that he did not know Carroll.
The dispute escalated into a series of civil lawsuits that produced major financial judgments against the president.
In 2023, a New York jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million in damages.
A second trial in 2024 resulted in an $83.3 million judgment tied to additional defamation claims related to Trump’s public statements about Carroll.
Trump has appealed both rulings, and the cases remain under review in the federal appellate system.
Court records cited in reporting indicate that Carroll’s legal team later informed the court and opposing counsel that a nonprofit supported by Hoffman had covered certain legal fees and related expenses.
Her attorneys have maintained that Carroll herself did not directly coordinate with Hoffman or manage the funding arrangements and that the assistance was handled independently through legal channels, according to The Guardian.
The reported investigation also draws attention to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trump’s defense attorney in matters connected to the Carroll litigation.
According to Trending Politics, Blanche has recused himself from the investigation due to that prior representation, leaving career prosecutors in Chicago to handle the matter.
As of now, federal prosecutors have not announced charges, issued public findings, or indicated a timeline for any decision. Carroll’s legal team has also not publicly commented on the reported investigation.
The broader legal battle between Carroll and Trump remains active, with appeals continuing in higher courts while prosecutors separately examine whether any statements made during the civil proceedings could carry criminal implications.
