Justice Department Probe of Funding for E. Jean Carroll Lawsuits

Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Illinois have opened a criminal probe into statements made by E. Jean Carroll in a 2022 deposition and into the Chicago nonprofit American Future Republic, founded by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros leads the early investigation.

CNN

Carroll, an 82-year-old former columnist, sued Trump for defamation and sexual assault. A 2023 jury awarded $5 million; a 2024 jury awarded $83.3 million, totaling about $88.3 million. The grant from American Future Republic was made in September 2020 to offset litigation costs. The Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a district court finding that Carroll’s credibility on funding matters was not compromised. The Supreme Court has scheduled review of the judgments.

The Guardian

• E. Jean Carroll – plaintiff.

The Guardian

• Donald Trump – defendant who denies the claims.

CNN

• Reid Hoffman – LinkedIn co-founder whose nonprofit American Future Republic funded a September 2020 grant for Carroll’s legal costs.

CNN

• Andrew Boutros – U.S. Attorney overseeing the probe.

The Independent

• Todd Blanche – Acting Attorney General who recused himself.

The Independent

The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office says no criminal investigation has been opened against Carroll, calling contrary claims “categorically false.” Reid Hoffman posted on LinkedIn that he never hid his financial support. Trump’s lawyers argue Carroll’s deposition is false and the probe silences critics. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself because he previously served as Trump’s personal attorney on the appeals, and the Justice Department declined to comment further.

CNN

Legal scholars say the probe diverts DOJ resources from serious crimes. Former prosecutor Mary Graw Leary warns it detracts from other victims. Rachel O’Leary Carmona of Women’s March says it may deter survivors.

The Independent

The Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office says Carroll is not a target, yet other sources report prosecutors are reviewing her deposition for perjury. Money-laundering details remain undisclosed.

The Guardian

• “In light of wide-spread reporting and intense media and public interest into the E Jean Carroll matter in New York, the Chicago US Attorney’s Office can confirm that it has not opened – and has never opened – a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll. Any claim to the contrary is categorically false.” — Andrew Boutros, U.S. Attorney, Northern District of Illinois

The Guardian

• “He is investigating me because I supported E Jean’s lawsuit –– where a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting her, and a court of appeals upheld the decision,” — Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder

CNN

• “not my type.” — Donald Trump, Former President

The Independent

• “Every time the Department of Justice devotes resources to such an endeavor … it pulls resources — lawyers and agents — from real cases with real victims whose cases do not get the attention they deserve and whose access to justice is denied,” — Mary Graw Leary, Criminal Law Scholar

The Independent

The Supreme Court will hear Trump’s appeals of the $5 million and $83.3 million judgments. The DOJ probe continues without a public timeline, and observers expect further filings on the nonprofit’s grant and oversight of politically sensitive prosecutions.

CNN