New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill calls for Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell's resignation after investigation
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill is calling for her own lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, to resign.
Caldwell was investigated earlier this year following accusations of inappropriate behavior with women and ethics violations, and the findings were released Wednesday.
In a statement Thursday, Sherrill said she was giving Caldwell until Friday to resign, saying he "engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office."
"I hold everyone in my Administration to the highest ethical standard. We all have a duty to follow our state ethics and harassment policy and our Code of Conduct. Anyone who violates these will be held accountable," Sherrill wrote, in part.
Caldwell's counsel in a statement disputed the investigation's findings.
"The Lieutenant Governor participated in the investigative process faithfully to the limited extent permitted, expecting a genuine truth-seeking inquiry. Unfortunately, the report twists seemingly benign phrases, such as 'executive presence,' to imply improper motive; relies heavily and unduly on the anonymous complainant's perceptions, characterization, and multi-layered hearsay; and disregards the testimony of staffers who did not share those views, as well as the Lieutenant Governor's own account," they said in a statement, in part.
According to the findings, the investigation found evidence that Caldwell, 66, made a romantic advance toward a female staffer's friend and made a sexual comment to the staffer after he was rejected.
Caldwell denies making that statement, according to his lawyer.
The findings also say Caldwell repeatedly tried to get a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship, without disclosing the nature of their relationship.
Caldwell's lawyer, Thomas Calcagni, said that state employee did not receive a promotion, raise or any other benefit and ultimately stopped working for the state government.
"The report cites no evidence indicating that Dr. Caldwell ordered anyone to promote her, or controlled the hiring decision or demanded that she receive a new position," he added.
Investigators also say they found evidence Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events for free without getting ethics clearance.
Caldwell's lawyer disputes that he intentionally misused his office in those instances, adding that Caldwell provided reimbursement for one event.
"There is a meaningful difference between making a good-faith error when analyzing the regulations and deliberately using public office for personal benefit," Calcagni said, in part.
