DOJ referred investigation of E. Jean Carroll to prosecutors in Chicago

The Justice Department earlier this year referred an investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the longtime advice columnist who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault, to federal prosecutors in Chicago, a law enforcement source told the Chicago Sun-Times.

That investigation is active within U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros’ office, the source said.

Justice Department officials did not comment Wednesday night. The story was first reported by CNN.

Prosecutors are focused on a 2022 deposition by Carroll in which she said she received no outside funding for her legal action against Trump, though it was later revealed that billionaire LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman had chipped in for some legal fees and expenses, CNN reported. Hoffman has a nonprofit based in Chicago.

In January 2024, as Trump closed in on the Republican presidential nomination, a jury awarded $83.3 million to Carroll in that same suit for Trump’s continued social media attacks against her over her claims that he sexually assaulted her in a Manhattan department store. That total includes a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation verdict in May 2023 she was awarded by another jury.

The jury that issued the May 2023 verdict rejected Carroll’s claim that she was raped, finding Trump responsible for a lesser degree of sexual abuse. The judgment offered vindication to Carroll, whose allegations had been mocked and dismissed by Trump for years.

Trump has since appealed the awards multiple times, including to the Supreme Court, which has repeatedly rejected the president’s requests to hear the case.

It comes at a time when Boutros’ office is embroiled in the biggest credibility crisis it has faced in recent memory.

The “Broadview Six” case against six Operation Midway Blitz protesters fell apart days before trial after a judge discovered improprieties during grand jury proceedings.

The alleged misconduct by prosecutors came to light only after a lengthy push by defense attorneys to get the judge to review unredacted transcripts of what occurred, and shockwaves from the case have begun to reach courts outside of Illinois.

Contributing: AP