Question about instances where someone accuses a high-profile person of a long ago sexual assault:

[Tommy_Carcetti]

17. It's far more common for people to lie under oath for defensive purposes, not offensive purposes.

They lie under oath because they fear whatever consequences revealing what the truth is more than they fear the potential of being caught lying and facing possible penalties for perjury.

Very rare is that people go under oath and lie for the express purposes of hurting another person. That's a much riskier proposition and the upside is far less.

The other options--simply lying in more casual situations, such as to right wing broadcasters as Broaddrick has--are far more enticing and serve the same outcome by amplifying the message without the threat of perjury. Worst case scenario is that they get civilly sued for defamation, but if the person's a public figure, it's a very high standard necessary to hold the person liable.