Gov. Mikie Sherrill accepted Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell’s resignation Friday afternoon, one day after she called on him to step down following an internal investigation that substantiated sexual harassment and ethics violations.
The state’s chief ethics officer initiated the investigation, and former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino and other attorneys at Lowenstein Sandler conducted it. The state retained the firm on May 21, more than three months before the investigation became public.
Sherrill said the 61-page report showed that Caldwell had failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.
“He demonstrated a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this administration,” Sherrill said.
She cited “Serious repeated violations of state policy, including ethical lapses and substantiated findings of Sexual Harassment.”
The report substantiated an allegation that Caldwell sexually harassed a female staffer. It also found that he violated state ethics rules by using his office to advocate for the promotion of a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without disclosing that relationship.
Investigators found that Caldwell also violated ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without paying for or reimbursing the cost of their admission.
Caldwell’s attorney has disputed the investigation’s findings. Caldwell previously denied using his office to pursue women romantically, telling the state’s chief ethics officer in a May letter that he had never asked anyone out, “hit on” anyone, or pursued anyone romantically while conducting official business.
The report found that concerns about Caldwell’s conduct toward women had reached senior administration officials before the formal investigation began. A senior official warned Caldwell on March 25 about what an adviser described as a “concerning pattern” in his approaches to women. Senior officials confronted him again on May 1.
An anonymous complaint submitted on May 14 triggered the formal investigation. Caldwell was notified on May 22 that he was the subject of an internal probe.
According to the report, Caldwell received at least five trainings, warnings or counseling interventions before the investigation began, including two direct warnings about his conduct toward women and repeated guidance about bringing unpaid guests to official events.
The report also found that Caldwell’s conduct continued after he received warnings and ethics training. Investigators identified seven ticketed events between February 19 and May 23 at which Caldwell brought one or more guests who were admitted without payment. Known ticket prices ranged from $65 to $300.
“I hold the office of public service in incredibly high regard,” Sherrill said at a press conference. “Public service, holding the public trust.”
“I feel deeply that it is a commitment by elected officials to serve the people, not their own self-interest,” she said. “Public servants must abide by the highest ethical standard.”
Sherrill said her experience as a federal prosecutor guided how she handled the investigation. She said she received the final report Thursday morning and immediately moved to remove Caldwell from office.
Asked why she allowed Caldwell to serve as acting governor while she traveled outside New Jersey during the investigation, Sherrill said she wanted to ensure he received a fair hearing before she acted.
“It’s important to me that everyone have a fair hearing,” Sherrill said.
“Once I saw the findings of the investigation, I acted quickly and asked for the resignation of the Lt. Governor,” she said.
Sherrill reiterated the position she took after the New Jersey Globe first disclosed the investigation on September 4.
“All credible allegations of misconduct must be fully investigated and addressed,” she said.
Sherrill called the final report “very thorough,” saying it detailed the allegations investigated and the people interviewed.
She defended her administration’s vetting process, pointing to other appointees who underwent the same review and have not faced ethics complaints. Sherrill also said much of the conduct that prompted the investigation occurred after Caldwell took office in January.
Sherrill was also asked about allegations that her gubernatorial campaign received complaints last year from a whistleblower at Centenary University, where Caldwell served as president until 2025.
Sherrill said the matter was referred to a law firm, which determined that it involved an administrative issue at the college.
The New Jersey Globe previously reported that a Centenary employee attempted to raise concerns about Caldwell with a staffer on Sherrill’s 2025 campaign, but the campaign staffer ultimately did not speak with the employee.
Sherrill said Caldwell had made meaningful contributions to her campaign and administration, particularly through his work on the administration’s business agenda.
She also described Caldwell as “deeply committed” to addressing the longstanding challenges facing Black communities across New Jersey. Sherrill said her administration shares that commitment and will continue the work after his departure.
She said the episode also underscored the need to change a culture of silence in Trenton, where officials have too often swept problems under the rug or kicked them down the road.
Caldwell’s resignation creates an immediate change in the administration of New Jersey’s elections, with the November general election just weeks away.
As secretary of state, Caldwell oversaw the Division of Elections and served as lieutenant governor.
Sherrill named Shirley Emehelu, the acting state comptroller, as secretary of state to oversee the election. Emehelu previously served in the U.S. Department of Justice and the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.
“Her reputation is incredible across the board,” Sherrill said.
“She has the judgment to run these elections” and the “strength to stand up to Trump’s attacks on voting,” Sherrill said.
“My entire career has been focused on upholding the rule of law at the federal and state levels,” Emehelu said.
“New Jersey elections will be conducted freely, fairly and with integrity, every eligible voter will have a chance to cast a ballot, and every legal ballot will be counted,” she said.
Sherrill said she would begin selecting a new lieutenant governor. Until a successor takes office, Senate President Nicholas Scutari will serve as acting governor whenever Sherrill leaves the state.
Sherrill said she wants Caldwell’s replacement to have “a dedication to the people of New Jersey.”
“I will be looking for someone with history and who is really focused on the public good,” she said.
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October 11, 2018 -
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