Judge Approves Payment Following Appeals Process
A federal judge has authorized the release of nearly $5.8 million to writer E. Jean Carroll, bringing another significant development in the long-running civil legal battle involving former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The amount includes the original $5 million damages award plus accumulated interest. The money had been placed in a court-controlled account while Trump challenged the 2023 jury verdict through the appeals process.
The ruling came after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear Trump’s appeal, allowing the original civil judgment to remain in effect.
Civil Verdict Led to Financial Award
In 2023, a federal jury concluded that Trump was liable for sexually abusing Carroll during an incident in the 1990s and for later defaming her after she publicly shared her allegations. The jury awarded Carroll $5 million in damages.
Following the latest court order, Judge Lewis Kaplan approved the release of the funds that had been held pending the outcome of the appeals.
The legal dispute has lasted several years and has drawn widespread public attention because it involves a former U.S. president and allegations dating back decades.
Trump Continues Legal Fight
Trump has consistently denied Carroll’s allegations and has maintained that the case is politically motivated. Shortly after the judge approved the payment, his legal team filed another appeal in an effort to prevent the money from being released immediately.
His attorneys argue that additional legal proceedings remain possible and believe the payment should be delayed until every available appeal has been exhausted.
Meanwhile, Carroll’s legal team has argued that the appeals process for the 2023 verdict has effectively concluded and that there is no reason to continue delaying the payment.
The case is separate from another civil defamation judgment in which Carroll was awarded more than $83 million in damages. Trump is also appealing that verdict.
