The US Department of Justice has commenced a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll, who accused former President Donald Trump of raping her in the mid-1990s. The inquiry is focused on allegations of perjury related to her testimony in two civil lawsuits against Trump, one concerning sexual abuse in a New York department store and another regarding defamation. This investigation, led by the US attorney’s office in Chicago, stems from a 2022 deposition where Carroll stated she received no external funding for her legal battle. However, it was later disclosed that Reid Hoffman, the billionaire LinkedIn co-founder, had covered some of her legal expenses. In May 2023, a jury found Trump liable for sexually assaulting Carroll and defaming her, although they did not find evidence of rape. In January 2024, another jury ordered Trump to pay Carroll $83.3 million in damages for defamation. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and continues to face legal challenges from Carroll. Notably, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself from the investigation due to his previous role as one of Trump's personal attorneys.