New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after 61-page ethics report

New Jersey's lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, resigned on Friday after Governor Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report concluding he violated state ethics rules and engaged in harassing behavior toward a woman. Sherrill, a Democrat, had given Caldwell until Friday to step down. She announced his resignation at a press conference in Trenton, the state capital, where Caldwell was not present.pbs.org

The resignation matters because Caldwell also served as New Jersey's secretary of state, the chief elections officer, and the official who would step in as acting governor whenever Sherrill was away. His departure comes with 39 days until midterm elections that will decide control of Congress, and it follows weeks of Republican criticism of Sherrill over the investigation.nbcnews.com

What the report found

The 61-page report was conducted by former state attorney general Christopher Porrino and his law firm, Lowenstein Sandler, hired by the state. Investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made romantic advances toward a female staffer's friend, sought a promotion for a state employee he was dating, and brought personal guests to ticketed events without paying for them.

Investigators said that when Caldwell's advance toward a staffer's friend was rebuffed, he told the staffer, "you young women are looking for young sperm." The report also said Caldwell pushed for his girlfriend's promotion to a senior leadership position even after learning he was under investigation. She did not receive the promotion and no longer works in state government.

Credible evidence showed Caldwell brought at least three personal guests, including his girlfriend, to ticketed events such as the opera without advance authorisation or payment, which ethics rules require. Caldwell acknowledged he did not disclose the nature of his relationship with the state employee until investigators confronted him. The anonymous complaint that triggered the probe was sent in May to state ethics officials.

What the guests finding showed

Caldwell, 66, disputed the findings through his lawyer, Thomas Calcagni, who said the investigation's conclusions "go further than the evidence supports" and that the process "lacked the requisite due process that should be afforded every citizen of this state." Calcagni said his client "categorically denies" making the sperm statement but acknowledged Caldwell recommended the woman for a promotion.

In a letter included in the report, Caldwell said he suspected his relationships with women were being subjected to extra scrutiny because he is a single Black man. Sherrill defended the investigation on Friday, calling it "very thorough" and noting Caldwell's own statements were included. She said that as a former federal prosecutor, a fair hearing mattered to her.

Sherrill said she would appoint the state's acting comptroller, Shirley Emehelu, as acting secretary of state to oversee the elections. Emehelu is a veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General's Office. Sherrill said Emehelu has "the strength to stand up to Trump's attacks on voting."theguardian.com

What happens next

Under New Jersey law, a governor cannot fire the lieutenant governor because the post is independently elected, but the Legislature can impeach and remove one. A governor can strip a lieutenant governor of nearly all duties. Sherrill said she does not plan to name an acting lieutenant governor and will make a permanent appointment within 45 days.hindustantimes.com

Until a new lieutenant governor is named, state Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as acting governor if Sherrill is away or unable to perform her duties. Sherrill said there is an order of command beginning with the state Senate president. She said her office would seek legal opinions to follow the process, calling the situation "a little bit of a new area for New Jersey."

Sherrill said Caldwell chose to resign because he cared about their agenda and the state's challenges, and she declined to say whether he expressed remorse. She framed the resignation as part of a broader change, saying, "There has been a culture in Trenton, probably since the birth of our nation, to sweep this under the rug."

Sherrill must name a permanent replacement for Caldwell within 45 days of the vacancy, and she said she would "certainly" do so within that window. The resignation comes with 39 days until the midterm elections, which the lieutenant governor's office had been responsible for overseeing before Emehelu's appointment as acting secretary of state.