The Justice Department is investigating aspects of two lawsuits brought by E. Jean Carroll, the 82-year-old former magazine writer who accused Donald J. Trump of sexual assault, The New York Times reported on Wednesday.
The investigation involves the department's role in defending Trump against the lawsuits, which were filed after Carroll publicly accused Trump of raping her in a department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump has denied the allegations.
In 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation, awarding Carroll $5 million. A second jury in 2024 awarded her an additional $83.3 million for defamation. The Justice Department's inquiry is examining whether the government's involvement in the case was appropriate.
