New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell remained in office Friday after Gov. Mikie Sherrill urged him to resign over a report finding sexual harassment and repeated ethics violations. Caldwell linked the allegations to race; others called it an ethics matter.
The 61-page report, released Thursday after a months-long state probe, said Caldwell tried to secure a promotion for his girlfriend, then a state employee, made sexually suggestive comments to a female staff member and her friend, and continued the conduct after being warned.
Caldwell’s attorney, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the findings, calling the inquiry one-sided and saying Caldwell lacked a meaningful chance to answer anonymous allegations or present firsthand witnesses. Former Cory Booker aide Modia Butler said Caldwell was not accused of criminal conduct and described the report as an ethical lapse. Former Assemblyman Jamel Holley argued Caldwell should have a chance to tell his side and was being treated unfairly because he is Black; Holley said he did not know whether the allegations were true.
