New Jersey Governor Asks Lieutenant Governor to Resign After Ethics Report

The governor of New Jersey requested on Thursday that the state's lieutenant governor, Dale Caldwell, step down by Friday following an inquiry by a hired law firm concluding he breached ethics and anti-discrimination policies.

Published Wednesday, the report detailed that Caldwell breached workplace anti-discrimination rules. It stated he made an advance toward a staff member's friend and, after being turned down, told the staffer, "you young women are looking for young sperm."

"The investigation found that the Lieutenant Governor engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office," Gov. Mikie Sherrill said in a statement.

Thomas Calcagni, an attorney for Caldwell, contested the allegations, describing the inquiry as a one-sided initiative that failed to provide required due process.

"The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations," he said in a statement.

The findings further accused Caldwell of violating state ethics codes by seeking a promotion for a state staffer he was dating and securing unpaid access for personal guests at ticketed functions.

"Where a sponsor waives admission to an event for an official’s family member, friend, or date, the value of that admission is an impermissible benefit to the official," the report said.

Sherrill, a Democrat, noted that Caldwell's "ethical lapses" persisted despite receiving warnings and training, adding that his departure was "in the best interest of New Jersey residents."

"These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration," she stated.