New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill gave Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell until Friday to resign after investigators substantiated sexual harassment and two ethics violations tied to event guests and a promotion effort for his romantic partner.
Investigators found Caldwell told a female staffer, after she said her younger friend was not interested in him, “you young women are looking for young sperm.” They classified the remark as sexual harassment and said Caldwell’s denial was not credible. The staffer said she later tried to distance herself from him at work and avoid traveling with him.
The report said Caldwell brought personal guests to ticketed events without advance ethics clearance or payment despite training and warnings, including on May 23, the day after he was formally notified of the investigation. Four days after receiving notice, he used his state email to recommend his romantic partner for a leadership role in another executive-branch department without disclosing their relationship. Caldwell denied wrongdoing in a May response, calling the allegations false and misleading, and denied hitting on or asking women out during official business.
