DOJ Criminal Probe Shifts From E. Jean Carroll To Reid Hoffman Nonprofit's Litigation Funding
U.S. prosecutors in Chicago have opened a criminal investigation into American Future Republic, the nonprofit linked to LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, over payments that helped finance E. Jean Carroll's civil suits.[1]
Prosecutors are examining possible money-laundering, conspiracy and obstruction offenses tied to that litigation funding, sources told CBS News.[1] The inquiry is being handled out of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois under U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros.[2] Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself because he previously represented Donald Trump in appeals related to Carroll's lawsuits.[2]
The Justice Department initially opened a criminal inquiry into whether Carroll committed perjury after a 2022 deposition in which she said she received no outside funding for the suits.[3] A 2024 ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit said she had "plausibly" testified she forgot about limited outside funding.[4] The court also said litigation funding was not relevant to the underlying defamation case.[4] Tax filings show American Future Republic's 2020 Form 990 disclosed a $7 million payment to Carroll's law firm, Kaplan Hecker & Fink, and listed Hoffman as the nonprofit's president and board chair.[1] Hoffman has said his team joined funding after Carroll filed suit so her "voice should be heard" against a wealthier opponent.[4]
Early reports framed the matter principally as a perjury inquiry into Carroll's deposition statements.[3] Later reporting, driven by sources in Chicago, clarified that prosecutors have shifted to examining the nonprofit's funding and that Carroll is not currently a target of the probe.[1] The Associated Press reported that Carroll and her lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment.[5]
Show source details & analysis (5 sources)
📌 Key Facts
- The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury in testimony tied to her civil lawsuits against Donald Trump (Justice Department).
- The probe is being handled out of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago and is associated with U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros, according to reporting that first surfaced on May 27–28, 2026 (U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois).
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the matter because he previously represented Trump in appeals tied to Carroll’s lawsuits (Todd Blanche).
- The alleged perjury theory centers on a 2022 deposition in which Carroll said she received no outside funding, even though later reporting showed LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman helped pay some legal expenses (Reid Hoffman).
- On Thursday, May 28, 2026, CBS reported that prosecutors have shifted their focus to American Future Republic, a Chicago-based nonprofit tied to Reid Hoffman, and are examining potential money‑laundering, conspiracy and obstruction offenses tied to the litigation funding; CBS also reported Carroll is not currently a target and perjury allegations are not being pursued now (American Future Republic).
- Tax filings show American Future Republic’s 2020 Form 990 disclosed a $7 million payment to Carroll’s law firm, Kaplan Hecker & Fink, and list Reid Hoffman as the nonprofit’s president and board chair (2020 Form 990).
- A 2024 ruling by the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Carroll had “plausibly” testified she had forgotten about limited outside funding and said litigation funding was not relevant to the underlying defamation case (Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals).
- The Associated Press reported that Carroll and her lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the Justice Department investigation (Carroll and her lawyers).
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- CBS reports the Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into American Future Republic, a Chicago-based nonprofit run by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, over funding provided for E. Jean Carroll’s civil litigation against Donald Trump.
- Sources say the probe, led by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Chicago, is examining potential money laundering, conspiracy, and obstruction offenses tied to that funding.
- A source initially told CBS on Wednesday evening, May 27, 2026, that the investigation focused on whether Carroll committed perjury in a deposition, but clarified on Thursday, May 28, 2026, that Carroll is not the target and that prosecutors are not currently pursuing the perjury line of inquiry.
- Two additional sources confirmed to CBS that the investigation’s focus is American Future Republic; one said perjury allegations against Carroll were part of the original referral earlier in 2026 but are not being pursued now.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is recused from the Chicago case regarding Carroll’s litigation funding because he previously represented Trump on related appeals.
- Tax filings show American Future Republic’s 2020 Form 990 disclosed a $7 million payment to Carroll’s law firm, Kaplan Hecker & Fink, and lists Hoffman as president and board chair.
- The article recounts that a 2024 Second Circuit ruling found Carroll had "plausibly" testified she had forgotten about limited outside funding and that litigation funding was not deemed relevant to the underlying defamation case.
- An Associated Press source confirmed on Thursday, May 28, 2026, that the Justice Department has opened an investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll lied during her civil litigation against Donald Trump.
- The article reiterates that the perjury investigation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the matter because of his prior representation of Trump, and the AP notes he has had no involvement in the probe.
- The AP piece underscores that Carroll and her lawyers did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
- CBS cites sources saying the criminal investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury is being led out of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois.
- CBS reports the perjury theory centers on whether Carroll lied in a 2022 deposition when she said she received no outside funding for her lawsuit, despite later revelations that LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman helped pay some legal expenses.
- The article recounts that in a 2024 ruling the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals found Carroll had plausibly represented that she had forgotten about the limited outside funding and said the record showed she was not involved in who funded litigation costs.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche is reported as recused from the matter because he previously represented Trump in related litigation, consistent with prior coverage.
- CBS notes Hoffman publicly explained in a May 2023 Washington Post interview that his team joined funding only after Carroll had already filed suit, saying her "voice should be heard" against a wealthier and more powerful opponent.
- Article confirms, via CNN and other outlets, that the Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into whether E. Jean Carroll committed perjury in testimony linked to her civil lawsuits against Donald Trump.
- The piece reiterates that U.S. Attorney Andrew S. Boutros of the Northern District of Illinois opened the investigation, matching prior New York Times reporting but adding CNN as the first outlet to report the probe.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the investigation because he previously represented Trump in appeals tied to Carroll’s lawsuits, and the recusal is now attributed to multiple outlets including Reuters.
- The article restates that a New York City jury awarded Carroll $5 million in a 2023 civil case for sexual abuse and defamation and $83.3 million in a separate 2024 defamation case, and notes those verdicts have to date survived 2nd Circuit appeals.