Reid Hoffman linked group faces US probe over E. Jean Carroll lawsuit funding

Emai:online@newsofbahrain

Washington DC:  The U.S. Justice Department has opened an investigation into a group connected to billionaire investor Reid Hoffman over its financial support for lawsuits brought by writer E. Jean Carroll against President Donald Trump, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The investigation is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Chicago and is examining possible money laundering and obstruction issues involving the group American Future Republic, the source said.

The organization reportedly helped pay some of Carroll’s legal expenses in lawsuits in which Trump was accused of sexual abuse and defamation. Carroll won civil judgments against Trump in those cases.

The latest development comes after earlier reports suggested investigators were looking into whether Carroll gave false testimony during a 2022 deposition about outside financial support linked to her lawsuits. However, the source said Carroll herself is not currently the focus of the investigation.

Officials have not publicly explained what evidence, if any, prosecutors have gathered against the group. Third party funding for lawsuits is common in the United States and is generally legal.

A spokesperson for U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros in Chicago did not immediately comment on whether Hoffman’s group was being investigated. Earlier on Thursday, the office said it had not opened a criminal investigation into Carroll.

Pic Credit: AFP