New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill calls for Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell’s resignation after ethics investigation

Caldwell’s attorney disputes the report’s findings, saying investigators relied too heavily on an anonymous complaint and hearsay.

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign Thursday, giving him until Friday to step down after the release of a 61-page independent investigation into allegations of inappropriate behavior and ethics violations. Caldwell’s attorney disputes the report’s conclusions and says investigators relied too heavily on an anonymous complainant’s account and hearsay.

According to the findings reported by CBS New York, Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend and allegedly made a sexual comment to the staffer after the advance was rejected. Caldwell denies making the comment, according to his attorney. Investigators also found that Caldwell repeatedly sought a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without disclosing that relationship.

The investigation further found evidence that Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without obtaining required ethics clearance. Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, rejected the characterization of his client’s conduct. In a statement, the attorney said the report “twists seemingly benign phrases” and relies excessively on the anonymous complainant’s perceptions and hearsay. He also said the report disregards testimony from staff members who did not share those views and Caldwell’s own account.

Regarding the state employee Caldwell allegedly sought to help promote, Calcagni said she received no promotion, raise or other benefit and eventually left state government. He argued there was no evidence Caldwell ordered anyone to promote her or controlled the hiring decision.

The attorney similarly disputed that Caldwell intentionally misused his office by providing guests with free event access. He maintains that Caldwell reimbursed one event and described the conduct as a potential good-faith misunderstanding of ethics rules rather than deliberate personal benefit. Sherrill said Caldwell’s resignation was necessary after the investigation found a pattern of conduct that did not meet the standards of her administration. “I hold everyone in my Administration to the highest ethical standard.”

The governor said the investigation was independent, thorough and impartial and that it was initiated by the state’s Chief Ethics Officer and conducted by a former state attorney general. As of the latest CBS report, Caldwell had not indicated that he would resign. His attorney continued to challenge the investigation’s findings.