E. Jean Carroll, the writer and advice columnist who previously won two civil judgments accusing Donald Trump of sexual abuse, is now under a federal criminal investigation in Illinois. The probe centers on a 2022 statement Carroll made about funding for her l
Wednesday evening brought another jolt to a case that has already reshaped American politics and courtrooms: E. Jean Carroll, a writer and advice columnist who accused President Donald Trump of sexual abuse, is now under federal criminal investigation in Illinois.
The investigation has not produced an indictment and may not. Still, its existence has quickly become a new flashpoint in a long-running fight that Carroll and her supporters say has moved from public accusation to sustained legal retaliation.
The federal probe. first reported by The Logoff’s partner coverage. centers on a perjury allegation tied to a statement Carroll made in 2022. At the time, Carroll said—incorrectly—that she had not received outside funding supporting her civil lawsuits against Trump. Those civil cases were ultimately resolved in her favor.
A federal appeals court reached a key conclusion in 2024: there was no evidence the misstatement was intentional. Carroll may simply have forgotten what the record showed.
Even so, prosecutors are now examining whether her 2022 statement can be treated as a criminal matter. One legal expert who spoke to Zack Beauchamp on Thursday said that, even if Carroll is indicted, “A conviction is just not going to happen.”
Carroll is not the only woman who has accused Trump of sexual misconduct or assault. At least 27 women have made such allegations. But Carroll’s case has been particularly costly and embarrassing for him because it did not remain an accusation. In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll.
Carroll also won more than $88 million from Trump across two civil judgments. The money has not yet been paid, because Trump continues to appeal.
The criminal probe now adds a new layer of uncertainty to a legal saga that has already taken years to play out. The Justice Department’s investigation exists without an indictment so far. but it signals that Carroll’s legal exposure—after winning in civil court—is not finished. For Trump. the question is less whether he can still fight in court. and more whether this time the system will deliver the outcome he wants after repeated civil losses.
At the moment, the situation remains in motion rather than resolved. The investigation in Illinois is ongoing, and the focus on a 2022 funding statement puts a specific moment under scrutiny—even as prior appellate findings already pointed to the absence of intent.
E. Jean Carroll Donald Trump DOJ investigation Illinois federal criminal probe perjury allegation 2022 statement civil lawsuits sexual abuse finding defamation judgment federal appeals court
Sounds like politics wearing a trench coat. DOJ just needs to move on already.
Wait so she said in 2022 she had no outside funding? I mean that seems like such a big deal but also she already won civil court? Not sure how they can go criminal if intent wasn’t there.
This whole thing is gonna be dragged out forever. Like they’re not even indicting yet, it’s just “investigating” and everyone acts like it’s a conviction. Also the article says no evidence of intentional misstatement so how is this perjury even perjury lol.
I don’t get it. If the appeals court already said no intent, then isn’t it basically over? Seems like DOJ is just trying to scare her into dropping the money situation. And Illinois of all places—makes it feel like they’re shopping for a judge or something.