Former Attorney General Peter Harvey Joins Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell's Defense Team Amid Misconduct Probe

Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is enlisting former Attorney General Peter Harvey to assist in a legal and political response to accusations that he engaged in inappropriate behavior toward women and offered state jobs in exchange for favors. Harvey, who previously served as New Jersey’s first Black attorney general and has experience as a federal and state prosecutor, has also advised the NFL on hiring matters and acted as an independent federal monitor for the Newark Police Department for nine years.

Caldwell has publicly rejected the allegations, stating in a May 28 letter to state officials that he never pursued women romantically while in office. He also criticized the administration’s decision to retain a law firm led by former Attorney General Christopher Porrino to conduct an internal review, suggesting the firm was hired to discredit him.

The lieutenant governor, the first Black individual to hold the position in New Jersey, has hinted that race may be a factor in the investigation, according to friends familiar with the case. Governor Phil Murphy has declined to confirm whether an active investigation is underway, emphasizing that any credible report of misconduct must be examined while protecting the rights of the accused.

"Any credible report of misconduct must be fully examined while also emphasizing that the rights of those accused must be protected," the governor said.

Harvey did not respond to a request for comment.