New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigns after investigation found sexual harassment and other wrongdoing

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell has resign after investigators found “credible evidence” of sexual harassment and other wrongdoing, according to a source familiar with the matter.

Sherrill announced his resignation at a news conference Friday afternoon. The governor, who was inaugurated with Caldwell by her side in January, pushed for his resignation, which she received Friday afternoon.

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

“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.”

The governor released a 61-page report Thursday from a monthlong investigation conducted by an outside law firm. The report said Caldwell made inappropriate comments to women and violated ethics rules.

Sherrill called for him to resign by Friday. Caldwell denied the investigation’s findings through his attorney, who argued Caldwell was not given an opportunity to meaningfully address the accusations in the report or provide his own witnesses.

Sherrill has the power to change Caldwell’s responsibilities but not to fire him. His resignation prevents impeachment proceedings in the legislature that would be necessary for his removal.

It was unclear whether Caldwell was going to heed to Sherrill’s demand through much of Friday.

Sherrill said in a lengthy statement Thursday night that Caldwell “engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.” She previously would not confirm the investigation, which had been leaked to the media three weeks ago.

The investigation found Caldwell hit on a female staffer’s friend, and when she turned him down, he told the staffer that ambitious women like them needed a man in a position to help them, “but you young women are looking for young sperm.”

Caldwell denied making the comments, “but we did not find his denial credible,” the report said.

Lawmakers did not speak out to defend Caldwell, but as fragments of the allegations leaked out over the weeks, some of his friends and allies began to speak out.

A group of self-described Black “faith, civic, and community leaders” commended Caldwell’s decision to step down in a statement Friday.

“By choosing to step down and ending this controversy, he has put the interests of the people of New Jersey and the work of our state ahead of himself,” the statement said, which was by U.S. Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, New Jersey Democratic Committee Chair LeRoy Jones, among others.

Democratic state legislators largely remained publicly quiet before Caldwell announced his resignation. One exception was Assembly member Balvir Singh, a Democrat from Burlington County who who shared thoughts about a half an hour after Sherrill’s announcement.

“The office of Lieutenant Governor carries an extraordinary responsibility and requires the full confidence of the people of New Jersey,” he said in a post on social media. “Lt. Gov Dale Caldwell should resign to allow the administration to move forward without further distraction or questions surrounding the office.”

Sens. Andy Kim and Cory Booker, both Democrats, called for him to step down hours after the release of the report.

“New Jerseyans deserve to have public servants who work to earn and keep their trust, not undermine it,” Kim said.

Former Attorney General Christopher Porrino — who worked under former Republican Gov. Chris Christie — and his law firm were hired to investigate the claims. The probe had been going on since at least May.

According to the report, less than a month after being spoken to and given training on workplace conduct and ethics, and four days after he was told about the investigation, Caldwell tried to get a promotion for a state employee he was dating. Caldwell’s attorney Thomas Calcagni said the lieutenant governor forwarded the employee’s resume and did not disclose the two had a personal relationship.

Calcagni said in a statement Thursday that the investigation raised “due process concerns” and involved confidentiality breaches. He said it created “a dangerous and challenging precedent for anyone who wishes to defend against anonymous conjecture and character assassination.”

Through his attorney, Caldwell denied the claims of the report and questioned the thoroughness of the investigation. And while he did not speak out as news of the investigation surfaced, a May letter he wrote to the ethics commission forcefully denying the claims — and alleging racism — was leaked to media.

The report also details comments Caldwell allegedly made about wanting a “first lady.” One staffer said he asked her to find him someone and another recalled him suggesting that he would need a wife in order to run for governor and to let him know if she comes across someone suitable. Caldwell admitted to making comments to staffers about wanting a “first lady” but said he wasn’t serious and other people in the office made similar kinds of jokes, the report said.

He also repeatedly made comments about staffers having “executive appearance,” which came across to some staffers as being about women’s physical attractiveness. Caldwell said the term was about how both men and women carry themselves, not physical appearance, the report said.

Caldwell repeatedly brought personal guests to ticketed events without clearing it with the ethics officer and without paying for the extra tickets, a practice that continued even warnings, being told about the investigation and attending an ethics training, the report said. His attorney said when Caldwell “learned that reimbursement was appropriate in one particular situation, he reimbursed $175 for the event.”

He was also accused of providing his business card to women he wanted to date, but he said in his May letter that he gives his business card to more men than women.

“I have never asked anyone out on a date, ‘hit on,’ or pursued anyone romantically while conducting official business as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State,” he said at the time.