Writer E. Jean Carroll has received over 5.6 million dollars in court-ordered damages from Donald Trump, according to court records and her attorney, Roberta Kaplan. The payment, which includes five million dollars in jury award plus interest, was released from an escrow account following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to decline an appeal in the civil case. This payout stems from a 2023 jury verdict finding Trump liable for sexually assaulting Carroll in 1996 and subsequently defaming her.
Payment Status and Legal Background
The funds were held in escrow throughout the duration of the appellate process. Following a ruling by a New York judge last week, the account was authorized for release. Roberta Kaplan confirmed on Tuesday that the transfer was completed. The 5.6 million dollars total reflects the original jury award from 2023, augmented by interest that accrued during the period of legal challenges.
The underlying litigation began when Carroll alleged that Trump sexually assaulted her in the dressing room of a Manhattan department store in 1996. Trump, who has consistently denied the allegations, maintained throughout the proceedings that he did not know Carroll and characterized the claim as a politically motivated attempt to promote her memoir. His legal team has continued to contest the judgments, with a spokesperson for Trump’s lawyers describing the case as a “witch hunt” and a “farce” in a statement provided to Reuters.
Did you know?
In addition to the 5.6 million dollars payout, Donald Trump is currently appealing a separate 83 million dollars judgment awarded to Carroll by a different Manhattan jury in early 2024. That case also centered on claims of defamation.
Future Legal Trends in Civil Defamation Cases
Frequently Asked Questions
How was the 5.6 million dollars figure calculated?
The amount consists of the five million dollars in damages awarded by a jury in 2023, plus the interest that accumulated on that sum during the subsequent appeals process.
Why did the payment happen now?
The payment was released after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of the original civil verdict, and a New York judge subsequently issued an order allowing the escrowed funds to be transferred.
Is this the only judgment against Trump involving E. Jean Carroll?
No. Trump is also currently appealing a separate 83 million dollars judgment for defamation awarded to Carroll by a Manhattan jury in January 2024.
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