In Carroll Lawsuits Inquiry, Scrutiny Turns Toward Private Citizens Who Antagonized Trump
nytimes.com • • nation
Key Points:
- The Justice Department is shifting its focus from targeting public officials to investigating lawsuits filed by E. Jean Carroll, an 82-year-old private citizen accusing President Trump of sexual assault.
- Carroll's case is distinct due to the deeply personal nature of her allegations and her lack of any political or governmental role, unlike other figures previously scrutinized.
- The investigation centers on donations made by American Future Republic, a nonprofit founded by liberal billionaire Reid Hoffman, which helped cover Carroll’s legal expenses.
- Prosecutors are probing the accuracy of Carroll’s statements regarding the donation during her civil case, though the current criminal inquiry targets Hoffman’s nonprofit rather than Carroll herself.
- The status of the investigation could evolve, potentially expanding to include Carroll, according to individuals familiar with the matter.