- New Jersey's governor called on her hand-picked lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, to resign by Friday after a law firm hired by her office concluded he behaved inappropriately around women.
- The report published Wednesday found that Caldwell violated the state’s policy prohibiting discrimination in the workplace, including making an advance toward a staffer’s friend and telling the staffer: 'You young women are looking for young sperm.'
- Governor Mikie Sherrill stated: 'The investigation found that the Lieutenant Governor engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.'
- The report also accused Caldwell of breaking the state’s ethics rules by trying to get a promotion for a state employee he was dating and by bringing his personal guests to ticketed events without paying.
- Caldwell's lawyer, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the allegations, calling the investigation a one-sided operation that did not include necessary due process.
- The report stated: 'Where a sponsor waives admission to an event for an official’s family member, friend, or date, the value of that admission is an impermissible benefit to the official.'
- Sherrill, a Democrat, said Caldwell’s ethical lapses continued even with multiple warnings and trainings, and called his resignation 'in the best interest of New Jersey residents.'
- Sherrill added: 'These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration.'
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has demanded the resignation of Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell by Friday after a law firm investigation revealed serious violations of ethics and discrimination rules. The report, published Wednesday, detailed Caldwell's inappropriate behavior, including making advances towards a staffer's friend and derogatory comments.13
The investigation found that Caldwell violated the state's workplace discrimination policy, stating he told a staffer, “You young women are looking for young sperm.” Additionally, he was accused of attempting to secure a promotion for a state employee he was dating, which constitutes a breach of ethics rules. The report noted, “Where a sponsor waives admission to an event for an official’s family member, friend, or date, the value of that admission is an impermissible benefit to the official.”46
Sherrill emphasized that Caldwell's “ethical lapses” persisted despite multiple warnings and training sessions, asserting that his resignation is “in the best interest of New Jersey residents.” She stated, “These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration.”78
Caldwell's attorney, Thomas Calcagni, has contested the findings, labeling the investigation as one-sided and lacking due process. He claimed, “The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations.” Caldwell, a Methodist pastor and former president of Centenary University, has held the lieutenant governor position since its inception in New Jersey about 20 years ago.5
As lieutenant governor, Caldwell is first in line to assume the governorship if Sherrill were to become incapacitated or removed from office.
“The report, published Wednesday, said Caldwell made an advance toward a staffer's friend and told the staffer, 'You young women are looking for young sperm.' His lawyer, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the findings, saying Caldwell was not given a meaningful opportunity to address the anonymous allegations.”
The Guardian
