The Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into E Jean Carroll, the magazine writer who won significant civil judgments against Donald Trump in sexual abuse and defamation cases.

Carroll accused Trump of sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store dressing room in the mid-1990s. Trump has denied this allegation along with similar claims made by more than two dozen women. However, a federal jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing Carroll, while a separate jury determined he defamed her by calling her allegations false.

Carroll was awarded two substantial judgments: $5 million for sexual abuse and defamation, and more than $83 million for additional defamation. Trump has indicated he plans to appeal these rulings, though his efforts have faced setbacks. A federal court panel declined to hear his appeal of one verdict, and the Supreme Court has repeatedly delayed decisions on whether to review another appeal in the case.

Despite the court awards, Carroll has not yet received payment from the judgments. The timing and scope of the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Carroll have not been publicly detailed.

The development represents a new chapter in the legal proceedings between Carroll and Trump, which have spanned both civil and now potentially criminal matters.