After an internal probe of Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell began, POLITICO counted 18 days when New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill was out of state and Caldwell held full powers as acting governor. The probe reportedly concerns his behavior toward women, which he denies.
Records obtained by POLITICO include a redacted agreement showing the governor's office retained the law firm of former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino on May 21 at $450 an hour. The firm had billed nearly $50,000 by the end of June. The contract does not explicitly identify Caldwell as the investigation's subject, and it is unclear when Porrino's report is expected.
Caldwell has not served as acting governor since a Sept. 4 news report disclosed the investigation; Sherrill's public schedule lists no out-of-state travel since then except brief visits to New York City. The schedule does not explain all 18 earlier absences, though some overlapped her campaigning for fellow veterans in Democratic primaries, including trips to New Hampshire and Massachusetts on Aug. 18–19. New Jersey Democrats questioned the lack of information, while Republicans criticized the handoff. Sherrill's spokesperson did not address the inquiry and instead criticized Republicans.
