The US Department of Justice has reportedly opened a criminal investigation into E.Jean Carroll, the former magazine columnist who accused Donald Trump of sexual assault.

According to reporting cited by CNN and ABC News, the inquiry is focused on whether Carroll may have committed perjury during her civil lawsuits against the former president.

The investigation is said to centre on statements she made in court proceedings, including a 2022 videotaped deposition in which she stated that she had not received outside financial assistance for her legal action.

Subsequent disclosures indicated that billionaire Reid Hoffman had contributed to covering some of Carroll’s legal expenses, prompting scrutiny over the accuracy of her sworn testimony.Carroll previously brought two high-profile civil cases against Trump.In one, a jury found him liable for sexual abuse and awarded her $5 million in damages.In a separate defamation case, she was awarded $83.3 million after Trump made repeated public statements denying her allegations and disparaging her claims.The investigation is reportedly being led by US Attorney Andrew Boutros of the Northern District of Illinois.Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche has recused himself due to his prior role as Trump’s personal lawyer.

Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has also recently become involved in related legal proceedings, including intervening in Trump’s appeal efforts at the Supreme Court following a federal appeals court decision that rejected his attempt to revisit aspects of the Carroll litigation.

Carroll’s legal representatives have declined to comment on the reported investigation, while Justice Department officials have also not publicly confirmed details.

The development adds another layer of legal complexity to a long-running and highly publicised dispute between Carroll and Trump, which has already resulted in substantial jury awards and ongoing appellate litigation.