New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after being called out by Sherrill over ethics report

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell (D) resigned Friday following calls to step down from his position after an investigation found that he had violated state ethics and harassment policies.

“He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted,” Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) announced during a Friday press conference.

Sherrill called for his resignation Thursday after releasing a 61-page ethics report detailing the findings of an independent investigation into his conduct, which included alleged sexual harassment and violating the state’s workplace discrimination policy.

According to the firm hired by the state to conduct the probe, investigators said they found credible evidence that Caldwell’s behavior violated workplace policy.

Caldwell allegedly made a sexually charged comment to a staffer and twice attempted to secure a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship.

Investigators also found he brought personal guests to ticketed events without paying for their admission or reimbursing the cost.

Sherrill gave Caldwell until Friday to resign from his position, saying he had “engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office.”

“The Lieutenant Governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents,” she said.

Among the incidents detailed in the report, investigators said Caldwell made a romantic advance toward the female friend of a staffer. After the woman rejected him, Caldwell allegedly told the staffer, “You young women are looking for young sperm.”

Caldwell, who also oversees the state’s elections as secretary of state, denied making the remark, but investigators said they did not find his denial credible.

His attorney, Thomas Calcagni, disputed the investigation’s findings Thursday, arguing that the process was one-sided and did not give Caldwell a sufficient opportunity to respond to the allegations.

Sherrill announced Friday that acting state Comptroller Shirley Emehelu will take over as acting secretary of state, just weeks before the midterm elections.

With the lieutenant governor’s office now vacant, under New Jersey’s succession rules, the state Senate president — in this case, state Sen. Nicholas Scutari (D) — is next in line to assume the governor’s duties when Sherrill is out of state or otherwise unable to serve.