TRENTON, N.J. (KYW Newsradio) — New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is asking for the resignation of her lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, after an independent investigation found he sexually harassed women while in office.
In a statement released Thursday, Sherrill said it was “necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents” that Caldwell resign from his position.
“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,” Sherrill said. “Anyone who violates these will be held accountable.”
Sherrill’s statement came as a 61-page report was released, detailing the findings of an independent investigation into Caldwell’s alleged sexual harassment of women.
The inquiry was launched in May after Sherrill’s office received an anonymous letter accusing Caldwell of inappropriate behavior. Caldwell denied the allegations.
The report — conducted by a law firm hired by Sherrill’s office — found that Caldwell had twice sought to get his girlfriend promoted to a state job, made sexually charged comments toward a female staffer, and ignored warnings to change his behavior.
The report says Caldwell made an advance toward a staffer’s friend, and when he was rebuffed, he told the staffer, “You young women are looking for young sperm.”
Sherrill said Caldwell “engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.”
She called the substantiated claims of sexual harassment in the report “extremely troubling.” Before the report's release, Sherrill had not publicly addressed the scandal growing around the lieutenant governor.
Caldwell’s lawyer, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the allegations, calling the investigation a one-sided operation that did not include necessary due process.
“The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations,” he said in a statement.
Caldwell “categorically denies” making the alleged statement about women wanting sperm, the lawyer said, adding that a state police trooper who was present at the time didn’t hear it said.
Calcagni acknowledged that Caldwell had recommended a promotion for a woman with whom he had a personal relationship, but said he believed she was qualified for the job and hadn’t ordered anyone to promote her.
“There is a difference between failing to disclose a personal relationship when forwarding the resume of a qualified job applicant and actually using the power of public office to secure a job or financial benefit for someone,” Calcagni said.
The report also found seven ticketed events between Feb. 19 and May 23 where Caldwell reportedly brought one or more guests without paying for them. The events included one at the State Opera of New Jersey and a Rowan University Rosa Parks Scholarship Luncheon, with tickets ranging from $65 to $300, according to the report.
“Where a sponsor waives admission to an event for an official’s family member, friend, or date, the value of that admission is an impermissible benefit to the official,” the report said.
In May, Caldwell sent a message responding to accusations of ethical violations against him. He denied several claims, including that he gives out his business cards to women for inappropriate reasons, calling that “categorically untrue.”
“Unfortunately, in this current political environment, false accusations, especially against people of color, seem to be commonplace,” Caldwell, who is Black, wrote.
A Methodist pastor, Caldwell was president of Centenary University for two years before being elected lieutenant governor, a post that has existed in New Jersey for around 20 years.
While candidates for governor get to pick the people who will appear on the ticket as their running mate, and serve as lieutenant governor, it is an independently elected position.
In New Jersey, the governor can’t remove the lieutenant governor from office, but the state Assembly can vote to impeach the lieutenant governor with a majority. It would then go to the state Senate, where a two-thirds majority is required to convict and remove the lieutenant governor from office.
If the Legislature does nothing, voters can force a recall election after Caldwell has served a year in office.
As lieutenant governor, Caldwell is first in line to become the governor if Sherrill were to die, be removed from office or become incapacitated. The lieutenant governor’s office, while more than ceremonial, is largely subservient to the governor.
A report released Thursday found Dale Caldwell sexually harassed women while in office
A report released Thursday found Dale Caldwell sexually harassed women while in office
