New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill calls on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by Friday after an outside investigation concluded that he violated state workplace and ethics policies. Caldwell, whom Sherrill selected as her running mate, disputes the allegations through his attorney.

The report, published Wednesday by a law firm hired by the governor’s office, found that Caldwell engaged in “serious, repeated violations of state policy,” Sherrill said Thursday. Among its findings, the report said Caldwell made an advance toward a staffer’s friend and, after being rejected, made an inappropriate comment about young women.

Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, said Caldwell categorically denies making the comment and argued that the investigation was one-sided and did not provide him a meaningful opportunity to respond to each anonymous allegation. Calcagni also said a state police trooper present during the encounter did not hear the alleged remark.

The investigation additionally found that Caldwell violated ethics rules by recommending a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without disclosing that relationship. Calcagni acknowledged the recommendation but said Caldwell believed the employee was qualified and did not direct anyone to promote her.

The report also identified seven ticketed events from February through May at which Caldwell allegedly brought guests who did not pay admission, describing the waived fees as impermissible benefits.