Gov. Mikie Sherrill breaks her silence on reported investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell
Caldwell is reportedly under internal investigation for allegations involving his behavior with women and possible ethics violations including an offer of state jobs.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill broke her silence Tuesday on a reported investigation into Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell, but the governor offered little information on the matter and did not mention her No. 2 by name.
“Public service is an honor. And I have spent a lifetime of service in the Navy, as a prosecutor, in Congress, and now as Governor,” Sherrill, a first-term Democrat, said in a statement Tuesday afternoon. “I know that jobs of public trust impact the lives of everyday people and I deeply respect the oaths and responsibilities of these positions.
“Because of this respect, I demand that everyone in my administration hold themselves to the highest standards and put their obligations to public service first.”
Her statement comes four days after the New Jersey Globe reported that Caldwell is under internal investigation for allegations of inappropriate behavior with women and possible ethics violations, including an offer of state jobs.
Sean Higgins, a spokesperson for Sherrill, said Friday the administration could not “confirm or deny potential personnel matters.”
New Jersey GOP chair Christine Giordano Hanlon this weekend criticized the administration’s framing of the situation as “an effort to shield the information from the public” and called on Caldwell to resign.
“The governor and lieutenant governor should not be considered ‘personnel’ — they are the highest level elected officials in the state and must be held to the highest standard of accountability and transparency,” Hanlon said.
Sherrill’s Tuesday statement did not mention any specific investigation or individuals.
“I take my responsibility to treat any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously, and any credible report must be fully examined and addressed. If the evidence warrants, I will take appropriate action quickly,” Sherrill said.
The investigation had already begun when Caldwell worked as acting governor while Sherrill was out of state last week, the New Jersey Globe reported. BINJE.com reported that the investigation has been underway for months.
Christopher Porrino, who served as attorney general under former Republican Gov. Chris Christie, is conducting the investigation into Caldwell, the Globe reported.
Sherrill noted in her statement that anyone with a complaint “will receive a fair and thorough review” and be safe from retaliation.
“Let me be clear,” she said, “I do not back down from tough fights or tough conversations, and I will always put the interests of New Jerseyans first.”
Assembly member Katie Brennan (D., Hudson) released a statement Tuesday calling the allegations serious.
“Anyone who uses the power of public office to mistreat the people around them has no business holding it,” she said. “Governor Sherrill moved quickly here, and I’m glad she did, but survivors shouldn’t have to hope that the people in charge will do the right thing.”
Brennan was a campaign volunteer for former Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy’s 2017 primary election campaign who said after Murphy took office that she had been sexually assaulted by a senior campaign adviser.
Prosecutors declined to file criminal charges. But Brennan’s decision to publicize the alleged assault and the administration’s failure to investigate her claims led to changes in state law on how victims are treated by law enforcement. She said in her statement Tuesday that she will push for bills to protect sexual assault survivors.
Caldwell has yet to publicly address the matter, and his office declined to comment Tuesday.
Sherrill chose Caldwell to be her lieutenant governor after her primary win last summer. Caldwell, who was the first Black president of Centenary University, is a pastor in the United Methodist Church. He has experience working in state government, starting nonprofits, leading charter schools, and serving on the New Brunswick school board.
Sherrill praised him as a “voice for the voiceless” who has followed in his parents’ footsteps when she announced him as her running mate last year. His mother was a teacher and his father, the Rev. Gilbert Caldwell, was a civil rights activist who protested alongside the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Staff writer Susan Livio contributed to this article.
