E. Jean Carroll, the writer who filed a sexual abuse and defamation lawsuit against former President Donald Trump, has received over $5.6 million. This amount covers the $5 million jury award plus interest and was transferred from an escrow account where it had been held following a 2023 verdict, according to court records.

Carroll’s lawyer, Roberta Kaplan, confirmed the payment, stating, “We are pleased to report that she has received the damages payment.” Trump’s legal team has pledged to continue their appeal efforts after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the civil verdict to stand. This decision allowed Judge Lewis A. Kaplan to authorize the release of the funds. A subsequent emergency order request from Trump’s attorneys to block the payment was denied, permitting Carroll to proceed with her plans to place the money in a retirement account.

The lawsuit arose from an incident in 1996, where a jury found Trump had attacked Carroll in a New York department store dressing room. Carroll went public with her story in a 2019 memoir, during Trump’s presidency, leading to his claims that nothing happened and denials of any sexual encounter. He described Carroll’s accusations as lies and suggested she had political motives aimed at selling more books.

New York’s revised laws provided Carroll the opportunity to sue for abuses that occurred long ago. This legal adjustment enabled her to bring the case against Trump. Additionally, Trump is appealing an $83 million defamation compensation awarded to Carroll by another Manhattan jury in a subsequent 2024 trial, where Trump made a brief appearance.

The Associated Press maintains the practice of not naming alleged sexual abuse victims unless they consent to be identified. Carroll has agreed to the use of her name in coverage.

Further information and updates from the Associated Press by writer Michael R. Sisak.