The US Justice Department has launched an investigation for perjury into E. Jean Carroll, the columnist who a 2023 civil trial found had been sexually assaulted by US President Donald Trump in a New York department store 30 years ago, a source close to the matter told AP Thursday.
The Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll, the longtime advice columnist who has said Donald Trump sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store 30 years ago, lied during the course of civil litigation against the Republican president, according to a person familiar with the matter.
The person who confirmed the existence of the investigation was not authorised to publicly discuss an ongoing inquiry and spoke on the condition of anonymity. The perjury investigation is being led by the federal prosecutors’ office in Chicago, and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has had no involvement because of his prior work as Trump’s personal attorney, the person said.
Lawyers for Carroll did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the Associated Press on Thursday.
Read moreTrump raped and 'destroyed' ex-columnist, US civil trial hears
It’s the latest in a series of investigations the Trump administration Justice Department has opened into perceived adversaries of the president. The actions, including securing an indictment last month against former FBI Director James Comey, have raised alarm from Democrats and former officials that an institution meant to make prosecutorial decisions independent of the White House is being weaponised.
Carroll has said a flirtatious, chance encounter with Trump in 1996 at Bergdorf Goodman’s Fifth Avenue store ended violently. She said Trump slammed her against a dressing room wall, pulled down her tights and forced himself on her. Trump has called the allegations a “made-up scam”.
A jury in a 2023 civil trial found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll in 1996, awarding her $5 million. The following year, another jury awarded Carroll $83.3 million in a defamation case related to Trump's social media attacks on her.
A court entry earlier this month said Trump won’t have to pay the award until the US Supreme Court gets a chance to review the case or reject an appeal.
The 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals agreed to a request by one of Trump’s lawyers that it let the president delay the payment to Carroll, though it required that he post a $7.4 million bond to cover any additional interest costs, a request Carroll’s attorney had made.
The Carroll investigation was first reported by CNN.
(FRANCE 24 with AP)
