The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into E. Jean Carroll, the columnist who won civil judgments against Donald Trump for sexual abuse and defamation, and into the funding sources behind her litigation, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter. The probe marks a significant escalation of federal scrutiny into Carroll's legal efforts against the former and current president.

Investigators are examining financial support connected to Carroll's lawsuits, including contributions from LinkedIn co-founder and Democratic donor Reid Hoffman, according to reporting from Axios. The scope of the inquiry and specific allegations driving the criminal referral have not been fully disclosed by the Justice Department.

Carroll's legal team secured jury verdicts against Trump in 2023, with courts finding he sexually abused her in the mid-1990s and subsequently defamed her. Trump has consistently denied the allegations. The civil cases resulted in judgments totaling more than $80 million against Trump.

Senate Republicans have publicly welcomed the investigation, with some members calling for broader review of litigation funding arrangements involving prominent Democratic donors. The Justice Department has not publicly confirmed the investigation or detailed the specific charges under consideration.

Carroll's attorneys have not responded publicly to the reported criminal inquiry. Legal observers note that third-party litigation funding, while controversial, is generally a lawful practice, and the basis for criminal exposure in this case remains unclear from information available publicly.