New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, whom she handpicked for the job, to resign by Friday after an independent investigation substantiated a sexual harassment finding and two ethics violations against him.
“I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so,” Sherrill said Thursday according to Fox News, calling the substantiated harassment finding “extremely troubling.”
She said the violations reflected “a pattern of behavior” that continued despite warnings and training, and that “the Lieutenant Governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents.”
The inquiry began after the state’s chief ethics officer received an anonymous complaint in May alleging inappropriate behavior toward women and ethics violations.
Caldwell was formally notified of the investigation on May 22, and several of the conduct findings date from the days immediately after that notice.
Fox News’ report does not name the investigator who conducted the review.
The harassment finding centers on a remark to a female staffer. According to the findings, after learning that the staffer’s younger friend had rejected his romantic advances, Caldwell told her, “you young women are looking for young sperm.”
Investigators found his denial that he made the comment was not credible and concluded that the remark constituted sexual harassment. The staffer afterward tried to distance herself from Caldwell at work and to avoid traveling with him.
The first ethics violation involves guests. Investigators found Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without ethics clearance or payment, and kept doing so despite repeated training and warnings, including on May 23, one day after he was notified of the investigation.
The second concerns a state employee with whom Caldwell had a romantic relationship. Investigators found he repeatedly tried to secure a promotion for her.
Four days after receiving notice of the probe, he used his state email account to recommend her for a leadership position in another executive branch department, describing her as “my friend” and forwarding her résumé without disclosing the relationship.
Caldwell has denied wrongdoing. In a May response to investigators, he called the allegations false and misleading and said he believed the facts would exonerate him. He also denied hitting on or asking women out while conducting official business.
Fox News’ account does not identify the staffer, her friend or the state employee involved. Under the governor’s demand, Caldwell has until Friday to step down.
