New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell Resigns After Investigation Finds Policy and Ethics Violations

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell resigned Friday after Gov. Mikie Sherrill called for him to step down following an investigation that substantiated a sexual harassment complaint and found workplace and ethics violations.

“I gave the lieutenant governor until today to resign,” Sherrill said at a news conference. “He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted.”

According to a 61-page report released Thursday night, investigators found that Caldwell made female staff members uncomfortable and concluded that his denial of the allegations was not credible. The investigation also determined that he improperly accepted free event tickets for guests and sought a promotion for a state employee he was dating. The report did not accuse Caldwell of criminal conduct.

Caldwell disputed the findings and criticized the investigation’s validity and thoroughness. His attorney, Thomas Calcagni, said Caldwell resigned to end what he called a campaign to discredit his client and was exploring legal options to challenge the report.

Sherrill said the resignation reflected her effort to change the workplace culture in state government and ensure allegations are taken seriously. Democratic and Republican lawmakers had called for Caldwell to resign. A group of 11 Black New Jersey politicians said his tenure had become a distraction and that stepping down put the state’s interests first.

Sherrill appointed acting state comptroller Shirley Emehelu to oversee November’s elections as acting secretary of state, a responsibility previously held by Caldwell.