New Jersey Governor Demands Lieutenant Governor Resign After Ethics Report
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Governor Mikie Sherrill gave Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell a deadline to resign following a state investigation that found multiple policy violations and alleged misconduct.
Governor Mikie Sherrill announced Thursday that Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell must resign by Friday after a state investigation concluded he violated ethics rules and harassment policies. The 61-page report detailed allegations that Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a staffer’s friend, delivered a sexual comment after being rejected, and repeatedly sought a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without disclosing the connection. The investigation also said he allowed personal guests to attend ticketed events without proper ethics clearance.
"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," Sherrill wrote.
Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, contested the findings, saying the lieutenant governor participated in the inquiry in good faith and that the report misinterpreted neutral language. He argued the report relied heavily on an anonymous complainant’s perceptions and that there was no evidence Caldwell ordered any promotions or deliberately misused his office. Calcagni noted that the employee in question did not receive a promotion and that Caldwell reimbursed one event where a guest attended without clearance, emphasizing a distinction between a good-faith error and intentional abuse of office.