New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Thursday ordered Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an independent investigation found he violated state ethics and harassment policies.
Sherrill announced the findings of the investigation, which concluded Caldwell engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold his office’s responsibilities. She gave Caldwell until tomorrow to resign, stating his departure was necessary for the best interest of New Jersey residents.
Key findings of the investigation
The report, released Wednesday, substantiated three allegations against Caldwell:
- Sexual harassment: Investigators found Caldwell made an inappropriate advance toward a staffer’s friend, telling the staffer, “you young women are looking for young sperm” after the friend declined his interest. The staffer later distanced herself from Caldwell at work.
- Ethics violations: Caldwell brought unpaid personal guests to ticketed state events without required clearance or payment, despite prior warnings and training.
- Conflict of interest: He used his state email account to advocate for a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship, forwarding her resume and letter of interest without disclosing the relationship.
Sherrill called the substantiated sexual harassment finding “extremely troubling” and emphasized the investigation followed established procedures while protecting privacy.
Caldwell’s response
Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the findings in a statement Thursday night, calling the investigation “one-sided” and lacking due process. Calcagni argued Caldwell was not given a meaningful opportunity to address anonymous allegations or identify witnesses with firsthand knowledge. The lawyer stated the conclusions “go further than the evidence supports.”
Background and timeline
The investigation was launched after allegations surfaced that Caldwell, a Democrat elected alongside Sherrill in 2024, had behaved inappropriately toward women. Sherrill said Caldwell’s ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings.
Caldwell denied wrongdoing in a May response to investigators, though the report noted his denial was deemed not credible regarding the sexually charged remark. The investigation included interviews with witnesses and a review of communications, concluding Caldwell’s actions created a hostile work environment.
Political and institutional context
Sherrill’s call for Caldwell’s resignation follows the release of the investigation’s findings, which were conducted by an external law firm hired by her office. The governor framed the decision as necessary to restore trust in state leadership.
Calcagni’s statement did not address the specifics of the ethics violations or conflict-of-interest findings, focusing instead on procedural concerns. Sherrill has not indicated whether she will appoint an interim lieutenant governor or proceed with a replacement process.
The situation remains unresolved as of Thursday evening, with Caldwell’s legal team disputing the findings and Sherrill’s deadline pending.