New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale G. Caldwell has resigned from office following an independent investigation that found he engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy, including harassment and ethics violations.
Governor Mikie Sherrill confirmed the resignation during a press conference Friday afternoon, saying Caldwell submitted his resignation to her and that she accepted it.
The resignation comes one day after Sherrill publicly called on Caldwell to step down and gave him until Friday to do so.
The 61-page investigative report substantiated a harassment finding involving an inappropriate remark to a female staffer, as well as ethics violations involving personal guests attending ticketed events without payment or reimbursement and Caldwell advocating for a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without disclosing that relationship. Caldwell denied wrongdoing, and his attorneys disputed the investigation’s findings.
Under the New Jersey Constitution, Sherrill now has 45 days from Caldwell’s resignation to appoint his replacement as lieutenant governor. Caldwell had also been serving as New Jersey Secretary of State.
