May 28, 2026, 10:03May 28, 2026, 10:06 am
She accused Donald Trump of sexual abuse long before his presidency – and is now being targeted by his government: According to media reports, the US Department of Justice is investigating author Jean Carroll for perjury. The agency is investigating whether Carroll did not tell the truth in the civil case against the current president, ABC News and CNN reported, citing unnamed sources.
Author Jean Carroll is targeted by the authorities.Image: keystone
According to CNN, this involves an affidavit by Carroll that she did not receive any external funding for her lawsuit. However, it later became known that billionaire Reid Hoffman had covered part of the costs. Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche recused himself from the investigation because he was working as a lawyer for Trump at the time, according to CNN.
In 2023, a New York jury found it proven that Trump had attacked the US author in a luxury New York department store in 1996, sexually abused her and later slandered her. He was sentenced to pay compensation of five million US dollars (around 4.3 million euros). Trump always denied the allegations. Although the allegations were time-barred under criminal law, legal recourse was still open under civil law.
In a second defamation trial, Trump was ordered to pay Carroll $83.3 million in compensation in early 2024. (dab/sda/dpa)