New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill Thursday night called for the resignation of Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell after an ethics investigation found he had sexually harassed a woman and made advances to others, even after he was warned to stop.
Caldwell, through his attorney, denied the claims and questioned the thoroughness of the investigation.
According to a 61-page report by an outside law firm, Caldwell made a “romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend.” When she turned him down, Caldwell told the staffer that ambitious women like her and her friend needed a man in his position to help them “but you young women are looking for young sperm,” according to the report.
Caldwell denied making the comments, “but we did not find his denial credible,” the report said.
The probe found he also used his title and clout to secure a promotion for a state employee he was dating.
“Using his state email account, on May 26, 2026 – less than one month after being admonished and trained with regard to workplace conduct and ethics matters, and four days after the Chief Ethics Officer formally notified him of this investigation-the LG reached out to an official in another executive branch department and suggested that the state employee receive a promotion,” the report said.
Caldwell’s attorney Thomas Calcagni said his client forwarded the employee’s resume and did not disclose the two had a personal relationship.
“There is a difference between failing to disclose a personal relationship when forwarding the resume of a qualified job applicant and actually using the power of public office to secure a job or financial benefit for someone,” his statement said.
“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.”
The employee did not get a promotion and left state government, Calcagni’s statement said.
Investigators also corroborated a complaint that he had brought personal guests to ticketed events without clearing it with the ethics officer or paying for the extra tickets — and that the practice continued even after being warned not to.
Sherrill said she has asked for Caldwell to resign by Friday.
“These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration,” the first-term Democratic governor said in a public statement. “The ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings.”
“The substantiated finding of sexual harassment is extremely troubling,” Sherrill’s statement said. “I’ve seen firsthand how a hostile culture can undermine everyone’s ability to succeed. It’s insidious and ruptures the trust within an organization.”
If Caldwell refuses to step down, the governor can suspend him without pay and remove him as secretary of state, a role he also holds that will be critically important as the November election approaches. The Legislature could also move to impeach him, a source familiar with state rules said.
The lieutenant governor has an annual salary of $210,000.
The investigation, sparked by at least one anonymous complaint, focused on claims that Caldwell had brought uninvited women to public events without paying, according to sources close to the administration. He has also been accused of handing out his business card to women he wanted to date.
But the most serious allegation of sexual harassment was not revealed until Sherrill shared it Thursday. Former Attorney General Christopher Porrino and his law firm were hired to investigate the claims. The probe has been going on since at least May.
Caldwell denied the allegations and suggested racism was a factor in a May 28 letter to the state’s chief ethics officer, noting that he is “the first single Black man to serve at this level in government.” “In this current political environment, false accusations, especially against people of color, seem to be commonplace,” he continued in the letter first reported by BINJE.com.
“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,” his letter said. “Throughout my career in government, higher education, nonprofit leadership, ministry and public service, I have consistently conducted myself professionally and respectfully.”
Immediately following the release of the investigation’s report, Caldwell’s attorney disputed each of the claims. He did not address the governor’s call for Caldwell’s resignation.
“The question is not simply whether investigators believed one person over another,” Calcagni said in a statement. “The question is whether the evidence actually proves that a violation occurred. In our view, the evidence does not support these findings.”
Calcagni said there was no recording of the statement he made to a female staffer, and the State Trooper accompanying him did not hear the conversation.
With no corroboration, “the evidence should be examined particularly carefully before reaching a finding of workplace harassment,” his statement said.
Caldwell reimbursed the state $175 for tickets to an event once he was informed that accepting anything free was not permitted, Calcagni’s statement said. ”There is a meaningful difference between making a good-faith error when analyzing the regulations and deliberately using public office for personal benefit.”
Until Thursday night, Sherrill had refused to publicly acknowledge the months-long ethics investigation, saying only that any complaints against a member of her administration would be taken seriously.
Caldwell, a 66-year-old father and divorced minister with degrees from Princeton University and the University of Pennsylvania, has served in numerous public and nonprofit jobs. He was president of Centenary University and worked as deputy commissioner of community affairs in former Democratic Gov. James McGreevey’s administration more than 20 years ago. Healso founded two charter schools, served as president of the New Brunswick Board of Education and taught at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
But Caldwell was relatively unknown in state political circles when Sherrill chose him as her running mate last year. Their big win in November boosted Sherrill’s national profile, which she has used to campaign for Democratic candidates running for Congress in key elections across the country.
Sherrill has not left the state, aside from some short trips to New York, since the news of the investigation leaked at the start of Labor Day weekend. Republican lawmakers criticized her for leaving Caldwell in charge while she campaigned earlier in the summer.
In the last two weeks, Caldwell’s friends and colleagues have released public statements and given interviews defending his character and public service record.
Felicia Simmons of Asbury Park was one of several friends to rush to Caldwell’s defense last week by questioning the legitimacy of the investigation. She helped organize one of the events in question — the Whitesboro Black History Gala, an event in April recognizing the preservation efforts of the state’s first planned Black community, located in Cape May County. She said she invited him and knew he was bringing guests.
But as of Monday, Simmons said she had not been interviewed by investigators. She could not be reached for comment Thursday night.
Calcagni said the fact that key witnesses were not interviewed casts doubt on the investigation.
“These due process concerns, coupled with breaches of confidentiality throughout the process, render any findings palpably deficient and create a dangerous and challenging precedent for anyone who wishes to defend against anonymous conjecture and character assassination,” Calcagni’s statement said.
NJ.com and Politico reported the state paid Porrino’s law firm, Lowenstein Sandler about $50,000 for its work from May 21 through June 25, based on a public records request. The state records custodian turning over the records told the outlet it was “not confirming or denying the existence of any investigation regarding Dale Caldwell.”
Staff writer Aliya Schneider contributed to this report.
