U.S. Is Said to Open Criminal Inquiry of E. Jean Carroll Over Accusations Against Trump

Andrew Boutros, the Trump-appointed U.S. attorney for Northern Illinois, has opened an criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the 82-year-old former magazine writer who accused President Trump of sexual assault, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation.

The investigation is believed to center on whether Ms. Carroll committed perjury in civil lawsuits against Mr. Trump, according to the person, who requested anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation. Ms. Carroll won a $5 million civil judgment against Mr. Trump that he had sexually abused and defamed her.

Todd Blanche, the acting attorney general — who has approved a growing number of inquiries into the president’s enemies — has recused himself from the probe because of his representation of Mr. Trump in the Carroll case.

The existence of the investigation was reported earlier by CNN.