The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, a columnist known for her allegations against former President Donald Trump. The inquiry focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury during her testimony in lawsuits against Trump, which she won. Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store in 1996 and subsequently defaming her when he denied the allegations. In 2023, a jury awarded her $5 million in damages, a verdict upheld by an appellate court in December 2024. Trump's legal team is currently seeking Supreme Court intervention regarding the case. The DOJ's investigation is particularly concerned with a statement Carroll made during a deposition in 2022, where she claimed she received no outside funding for her lawsuit. However, it was later disclosed that some of her legal expenses were paid by billionaire Reid Hoffman. As this situation continues to unfold, further updates are anticipated.