New Jersey lieutenant governor steps down after harassment probe
Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned following an independent investigation that confirmed sexual harassment and ethics violations, according to Governor Mikie Sherrill.
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell submitted his resignation on Friday after an independent investigation concluded he had engaged in sexual harassment and breached ethics standards. Governor Mikie Sherrill said at a news conference in Trenton that she had accepted his resignation, which he delivered that afternoon.
The investigation found Caldwell had told a female staff member, "you young women are looking for young sperm," after she mentioned a younger friend was not interested in a romantic relationship with him. Investigators deemed the comment sexual harassment and rejected Caldwell's denial of making the remark as not credible.
Sherrill had given Caldwell a deadline to resign, stating the probe showed he failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office and displayed a pattern of behavior inconsistent with her administration's standards. Caldwell had previously denied wrongdoing, describing the allegations as false and misleading and expressing confidence that the facts would clear him.