Andrew S. Boutros, the Trump‑appointed U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, confirmed his office has never opened a criminal probe into E. Jean Carroll’s lawsuits. The statement came as reporters detailed a separate inquiry into donations from Reid Hoffman’s nonprofit, American Future Republic, that funded Carroll’s civil claims, including a $5 million judgment. Boutros’ denial aims to distance a Chicago office already plagued by resignations and high‑profile failures.

Since taking the helm in April 2025, Boutros has pursued fraud, firearms and robbery cases while shifting resources toward politically charged prosecutions aligned with the former president’s agenda. Judges have rebuked his team for grand‑jury misconduct, most notably when Judge April M. Perry castigated the office for abandoning impartiality. The pattern of dismissed charges and staff exodus has eroded the district’s credibility.

Prosecutors are now examining whether American Future Republic misrepresented the source of its contributions during Carroll’s civil proceedings, a rare foray into potential perjury tied to a high‑profile sexual‑assault case. No illegal conduct has been identified, but the inquiry underscores how political litigation can draw DOJ resources away from traditional crime fighting, prompting calls for internal reforms.