New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has demanded that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resign by the end of Friday, after a four-month investigation found that Caldwell engaged in sexual harassment and ethics violations.
“The investigation found that the Lieutenant Governor engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office,” Sherrill said in an emailed statement. “I hold everyone in my Administration to the highest ethical standard. We all have a duty to follow our state ethics and harassment policy and our Code of Conduct. Anyone who violates these will be held accountable.”
The investigation, led by former New Jersey Attorney General Chris Porrino, found credible evidence that Caldwell, referred to as LG in the document, made a romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend, which was rebuffed. According to the report, Caldwell responded, “You young women are looking for young sperm.”
According to the investigation report, the comment caused the staffer to change the way she interacted with Caldwell at work, and she tried to distance herself from him and avoid traveling with him.
The report states that “ the LG’s conduct … constituted sexual harassment, and was derogatory or demeaning in reference to the staffer’s sex, which is a protected category. The LG denied making this comment, but we did not find his denial credible.”
The investigation also found Caldwell violated state ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without advance ethics clearance and without payment or reimbursement. “The LG continued this practice after receiving formal and informal guidance on the applicable ethics rules,” the report states.
Caldwell also attempted to improperly seek a promotion for a state employee with whom he was having a romantic relationship, according to the report. The investigation found that less than a month after receiving ethics and workplace conduct training, he used his state email account to ask another state official to give the woman a promotion. The week before, according to the report, Caldwell had asked a different official in the same department to promote the woman.
“As a former federal prosecutor, I’m committed to ensuring everyone is treated fairly,” Sherrill said. “The investigation fully examined the evidence, followed the facts, and protected everyone’s privacy. In my Administration, we are committed to doing what is right, not what is politically expedient. The Lieutenant Governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents.”