The U.S. Department of Justice opened a criminal investigation into former magazine columnist E. Jean Carroll on May 27, 2026 [1].
The probe marks a significant escalation in the legal battles surrounding Carroll, who previously won civil judgments against former President Donald Trump. A criminal perjury charge could carry penalties that far exceed the scope of civil litigation.
Federal investigators in Washington, D.C., are examining whether Carroll lied under oath during a 2022 deposition [2]. This testimony was tied to two civil lawsuits [3] that Carroll filed against the former president. The Justice Department is specifically seeking to determine if she committed perjury during those proceedings [1].
While the primary focus of the investigation appears to be the 2022 testimony, reports on the scope of the probe vary. Some sources said the investigation centers on the perjury allegations [1]. However, other reports suggest the probe may also involve alleged payments from Reid Hoffman to Carroll [4].
Carroll has a history of extensive legal conflict with the former president, involving allegations of sexual assault and subsequent defamation suits. The current criminal investigation by the DOJ is a separate matter from those civil proceedings, though it stems from testimony provided within them [1].
The Department of Justice has not released a formal timeline for the investigation. It remains unclear if any specific charges will be filed or if the probe will lead to a broader inquiry into the civil cases [1].
“The DOJ opened a criminal investigation into whether Carroll committed perjury”
This investigation shifts the legal dynamic from a civil dispute over damages to a potential criminal matter involving the federal government. If the DOJ finds evidence of perjury, it could undermine the credibility of the testimonies that led to Carroll's previous civil victories and potentially lead to criminal indictments.
