New Jersey Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill is calling on her own lieutenant governor to resign after an investigation found he sexually harassed a staffer, violated state ethics rules, and twice pushed for his girlfriend to be promoted in state government.
According to The New York Times, Sherrill released the 61-page report Thursday evening and gave Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, also a Democrat, until Friday to step down. The governor described the findings as “a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this administration.”
The investigation was led by former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino, whom Sherrill hired after receiving an anonymous complaint about Caldwell’s behavior in May. Investigators interviewed at least 17 people and ultimately concluded that the lieutenant governor’s conduct “constituted sexual harassment and was derogatory or demeaning.”
Among the most striking allegations was an encounter in April involving a female staffer. According to investigators, after Caldwell made a romantic advance toward the woman’s friend and was turned down, he told the staffer that ambitious women needed men who could help advance their careers.
“But you young women are looking for young sperm,” he allegedly added.
Caldwell denied making the remark. His attorney, Thomas Calcagni, pointed to testimony in the report from a nearby state trooper who said he did not hear the exchange.
“The question is not simply whether investigators believed one person over another,” Calcagni said in a statement to the Times. “The question is whether the evidence actually proves that a violation occurred. In our view, the evidence does not support these findings.”
The report didn’t stop there. Investigators found that Caldwell twice recommended his girlfriend for a senior state position without disclosing their relationship, including once after he knew he was under investigation. She did not receive the promotion and has since left state government.
The report also found that Caldwell improperly brought nonpaying guests to seven events. Investigators said he kept violating ethics standards despite multiple warnings and six workplace and ethics trainings.
Caldwell’s attorney pushed back, saying his client “believes that a fair review of the complete record will show that the conclusions reached in the report go far beyond what the evidence establishes.”
When the complaint was first filed, Caldwell denied the allegations and suggested race played a role. According to the Times, he wrote in a statement, “Unfortunately, in this current political environment, false accusations, especially against people of color, seem to be commonplace.”
Sherrill, however, now says the findings are serious enough to warrant his exit. And in announcing her decision, the Democratic governor took a swipe at President Donald Trump.
“The president continues to undermine confidence in public service at the federal level,” Sherrill said. “In New Jersey, I will not accept a culture that sweeps misconduct under the rug.”
The scandal puts a harsh spotlight on the Sherrill administration, as the governor moves to push out her own second-in-command. Caldwell now faces a Friday deadline to decide whether to step aside.
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