The Justice Department's U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois's office denied reports Thursday that it had opened a perjury investigation into E. Jean Carroll, who accused President Donald Trump of sexual assault.

Multiple outlets reported Wednesday the department opened an investigation into whether Carroll committed perjury in civil lawsuits against the president.

The alleged investigation focused on her 2022 deposition, in which she reportedly claimed that she received no outside funding for her lawsuit, but it was later revealed that billionaire Reid Hoffman paid some legal fees and expenses.

“In light of widespread reporting and intense media and public interest in the E. Jean Carroll matter in New York, the Chicago U.S. Attorney’s Office can confirm that it has not opened—and has never opened—a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll," U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros said. "Any claim to the contrary is categorically false."

The New York Times, which cited anonymous sources in its initial report on the alleged probe, acknowledged Boutros' denial and said sources have since told it that Hoffman’s nonprofit, American Future Republic — and not Carroll — is currently the subject of the criminal inquiry. CNN has also reported on the alleged investigation.

Carroll accused Trump in a civil case of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in 1996 and later defaming her by dismissing her claims as a “hoax.” A jury sided with Carroll in 2023, awarding her $5 million. 

Carroll was also awarded an $83 million judgment in another defamation case related to the sexual assault allegation. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.