Centenary University

Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an independent investigation found he engaged in sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, concluded that Caldwell twice sought a state job promotion for his girlfriend, made a sexually charged comment to a staff member, and ignored repeated warnings about his conduct.

The probe began in May after Sherrill's office received an anonymous letter alleging inappropriate behavior by Caldwell, a former president of Centenary University. Caldwell has denied the allegations through his attorney, Thomas Calcagni, who called the investigation one-sided and lacking due process; Caldwell has suggested race and gender bias played a role, as he is Black. Sen. Cory Booker and other Democrats have backed Sherrill's call for resignation. Caldwell has given no indication he intends to step down, raising the possibility of a prolonged standoff with the governor over New Jersey's second-highest office.

An investigation commissioned by New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill found that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment and violated state ethics rules. The 61-page report, released Thursday, concluded Caldwell told a female staffer that "you young women are looking for young sperm" after she said a younger friend was not interested in him — a remark investigators deemed harassment and found his denial not credible. The staffer said she later tried to distance herself from him at work. The report also substantiated ethics violations: Caldwell twice sought a promotion for his girlfriend without disclosing the relationship, continuing even after being notified of the investigation, and brought nonpaying guests to seven official events despite repeated warnings and training.

The inquiry began in May after an anonymous complaint to the state's ethics officer. Attorney Christopher Porrino and former prosecutor Shontae Gray led the investigation, interviewing at least 17 people. Caldwell has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations false and politically motivated. Sherrill gave him until Friday to resign, calling the findings "extremely troubling" and citing a pattern of behavior. Caldwell oversees the Department of State and elections, including the upcoming November midterms.

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is facing an internal investigation launched by Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration over allegations he behaved inappropriately toward women, according to multiple reports. Former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino of Lowenstein Sandler is leading the probe alongside partner Shontae Gray, a former assistant U.S. attorney; the inquiry reportedly began with an anonymous tip in late spring and has included interviews with state employee complainants and witnesses. Investigators are also examining possible ethics violations, including allegations Caldwell offered a state job.

Sherrill's office declined to confirm the inquiry but said any reports of misconduct would be taken seriously. Caldwell, a 66-year-old pastor and former Centenary University president who was sworn in alongside Sherrill in January, is cooperating with the investigation and continuing his public duties, including recently serving as acting governor for three days. New Jersey Republican Party Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon and other GOP officials have called for him to step aside or be placed on unpaid leave, questioning how many complaints were filed and why disclosure was delayed. The episode compounds political pressure on Sherrill, a first-term Democrat viewed as a rising national figure, amid separate scrutiny over noncitizens erroneously added to voter rolls.