E. Jean Carroll has finally received $5.62 million in damages from former President Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation, according to court records, as the payment came after a three-year legal battle that began when a jury ruled in her favor in 2023.

A Long Legal Battle

Carroll first went public with her allegations in 2019, accusing Trump of sexually assaulting her in a department store dressing room three decades ago — a federal jury in 2023 found that more likely than not, Trump had committed the assault and defamed her. The jury awarded her $5 million in damages — the total payment of $5.62 million included interest, according to CBS News.

For three years. The money was held in a court-controlled bank account; the Supreme Court cleared the way for the payment when it decided on June 29 not to hear Trump’s appeal. On that day. Carroll celebrated her victory on her Substack blog, writing in all capital letters: “WE WON!” and adding, “THIS WIN IS FOR EVERY WOMAN IN THE WORLD!”.

Legal Maneuvering and Delays

Following the Supreme Court’s decision, Carroll’s attorney, Roberta Kaplan, moved quickly to secure the disbursement of the funds. However, Trump’s legal team sought to delay the payment by asking the Supreme Court to reconsider its rejection of his appeal. Kaplan called this effort “gamesmanship” and urged the trial judge to expedite the release of the funds.

CNN reported that Trump’s attorneys continue to fight the payment, most recently asking a federal appeals court to intervene and halt the transfer until the Supreme Court decides whether to rehear the case. The appeals court denied an emergency stay, and it has not yet addressed Trump’s latest request. If the Supreme Court does not act, the funds will remain in an interest-bearing account until the legal process is complete.

What the Funds Will Be Used For

According to court filings, Carroll plans to use the money to fund her retirement and will place the award in an interest-bearing account until the legal process concludes. Her attorneys, who are paid on a contingency basis, will not take legal fees from the award, as stated by Kaplan in a statement to CBS News.

Carroll, who is 82, will receive the full amount once all legal proceedings are complete. The case has drawn national attention as one of the few successful civil suits against a former president over allegations of sexual misconduct.