The U.S. Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into former magazine writer E. Jean Carroll, according to multiple reports citing sources. The inquiry focuses on whether Carroll committed perjury in connection with civil lawsuits tied to her allegations that former President Donald Trump sexually assaulted her decades ago. Several outlets report that prosecutors are examining Carroll’s testimony and statements made during the course of her litigation, including assertions made in 2022 that she did not receive outside financial help for her civil cases.

The investigation is described as part of a broader set of DOJ actions and inquiries involving Trump-related figures, with some outlets framing it as occurring alongside other investigations into people seen as Trump’s critics or opponents. The reports do not indicate that charges have been filed. They also do not assess the outcome of the investigation. The matter remains based on source accounts and reported details regarding the specific statements under scrutiny in Carroll’s civil proceedings.