NJ's Lt. Governor Resigns After Sexual Harassment, Ethics Investigation

Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell has resigned from his position after an independent investigation revealed he had sexually harassed women and violated several ethics policies while in office.

On Friday afternoon, Governor Mikie Sherrill announced that Caldwell had resigned, less than 24 hours after she released the findings of the investigation and called for his resignation.

"It is a commitment by elected officials to serve the people, not their own self-interests," Sherrill said. "To honor that commitment, public servants must abide by the highest ethical standards."

"The Lt. Governor failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office, and he demonstrated a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this administration," she continued. "The report documents serious, repeated violations of state policy, including ethical lapses and a substantiated finding of sexual harassment."

More: 6 Shocking Revelations From The Dale Caldwell Investigation

Over the course of a four-month investigation, officials substantiated three separate violations by Caldwell. He violated New Jersey’s workplace policy through conduct toward a female staffer, violated ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without paying admission, and violated ethics rules by advocating for a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship, according to the report.

The violations ranged from making a comment about "young women" wanting "young sperm" with regard to a woman who rebuffed his advances, to trying to get his girlfriend a promotion.

Caldwell's attorney, Thomas Calcagni, released a statement disputing the investigation's findings, saying "the conclusions go further than the evidence supports."

Despite disputing the investigation's findings, Caldwell will no longer serve as Lieutenant Governor of the Garden State.

Sherrill said she "appreciated" Caldwell's service during their campaign run and in the first few months of her administration, adding that she intends to continue to address long-standing challenges facing New Jersey's Black communities, something Caldwell was deeply committed to.

"His decision will allow us to move forward with important work serving the people of our state," Sherrill said.

Sherrill has appointed Acting Comptroller Shirley U. Emehelu to temporarily replace Caldwell as Secretary of State, a role in charge of elections. She said with the midterms just weeks away, it was a priority of Sherrill's to establish an Acting Secretary of State.

The resignation comes after several New Jersey leaders, on both sides of the aisle, called for it.

"New Jerseyans deserve to have public servants who work to earn and keep their trust, not undermine it," Senator Andy Kim said. "The findings of the independent report are unacceptable. The Lt. Governor should resign immediately."

Some New Jersey Republicans are demanding that Sherrill resign along with Caldwell, including Assemblyman Alex Sauickie (NJ-12).

"If the accusations are true, Dale Caldwell should resign. There’s no question about that," Sauickie said. "But Governor Sherrill has questions to answer, too. She knew there were serious concerns about her handpicked lieutenant governor, yet he remained in office while the investigation was underway — even serving as acting governor when she left the state. Caldwell should go first. Sherrill should consider following him out the door."

Also criticizing Sherrill was NJGOP Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon, who said the entire situation was "a colossal failure of the Sherrill administration."

“Dale Caldwell is gone, but the questions aren’t. Governor Sherrill chose him, her campaign received concerns about him before Election Day, and her own administration acknowledges that his ethical lapses continued despite multiple warnings and trainings," Hanlon said. "That is not zero tolerance.”

Sherrill now has 45 days to appoint a new Lieutenant Governor to finish Caldwell's term.

"I will move swiftly and thoughtfully in choosing a new Lieutenant Governor who will represent my administration and the people of New Jersey with honor and integrity... I will be looking for someone with a history really focused on the public good," Sherrill said. "We have so many different issues in the state... There are a few areas that I would love to see our new Lt. Governor engaged in and tackle."

See Sherrill's address in its entirety below: