Trump Settles $5 Million Damages to E Jean Carroll
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has settled a payment of over $5 million in damages to writer E Jean Carroll, according to her legal representation. This settlement comes three years after a jury determined that Trump was liable for sexually abusing and defaming Carroll in a civil lawsuit.
Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's attorney, confirmed the payment on Tuesday, stating, "Today, we are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment the jury awarded her as a result of that verdict." Carroll's legal team further clarified that the amount received exceeded $5.62 million, accounting for the original damages and interest accrued during the appeals process.
Background of the Case
Carroll, a former magazine columnist now aged 82, accused Trump of assaulting her in a Bergdorf Goodman department store dressing room in Manhattan in the mid-1990s. She further alleged that Trump defamed her in 2022 when he denied the allegations on his Truth Social platform.
In 2023, a New York jury awarded Carroll damages following her claims. Despite Trump's denial of these allegations, the court ruled in favor of Carroll.
Legal Challenges and Appeals
Trump's legal team attempted to delay the payment, aiming to involve the Supreme Court in reconsidering its earlier decision not to take up his appeal. However, the judge presiding over the case recently mandated the payment of damages. A representative from Trump's legal team did not provide comments regarding the payment.
Trump initially deposited the damages into a court-controlled account shortly after the jury's verdict, pending the outcome of the appeals process. His legal team criticized the judge's decision, labeling the case as a "hoax" and a "Witch Hunt" allegedly funded by political adversaries.
Judge Lewis Kaplan, who oversaw the civil trial, faced accusations from Trump's lawyers of admitting prejudicial evidence against Trump. However, a federal appeals court upheld the jury's decision, confirming that no errors were made that would justify a new trial. The Supreme Court's recent refusal to review the case facilitated the release of funds to Carroll.
Carroll's Reaction and Ongoing Legal Matters
Carroll celebrated the court's ruling on her blog, expressing her victory as a win for "every woman in the world." Meanwhile, Trump is appealing another jury's decision from 2024, which found him liable for separate defamation charges against Carroll, awarding her nearly $84 million. A panel of federal judges previously denied his appeal in this case as well.
Source: Original Article
