đź“… Date: September 25, 2026
📰 Source: CNN / New Jersey Governor’s Office / ABC News
đź“Ś Topic: New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, ethics investigation and resignation
New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell resigned Friday after an independent investigation commissioned by Gov. Mikie Sherrill found what the governor described as serious and repeated violations of state policies, including a substantiated finding of sexual harassment. Sherrill had given Caldwell until Friday to step down after releasing the investigation’s findings.
The investigation, conducted by a law firm engaged by the governor’s Chief Ethics Officer, began after an anonymous complaint in May. According to the report, investigators found credible evidence that Caldwell made an unwanted romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend. After the advance was rejected, the report said Caldwell made a sexually inappropriate comment to the staffer. Investigators concluded that the conduct violated New Jersey’s workplace policy.
The report also examined Caldwell’s compliance with state ethics rules. Investigators found that he sought a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship without properly disclosing the relationship. The report also said he brought personal guests to ticketed events without obtaining required ethics approval or reimbursing the state as required.
Caldwell has denied wrongdoing. His attorney, Thomas Calcagni, criticized the investigation as one-sided and said Caldwell’s resignation was intended to end what he characterized as a campaign against his reputation. His legal team said it was considering further legal options and continued to dispute the report’s conclusions.
Caldwell’s resignation also has significance for New Jersey’s election administration. As lieutenant governor, he also served as secretary of state, a position with responsibilities involving election oversight. Sherrill said she had appointed Acting Comptroller Shirley Emehelu to serve as acting secretary of state as the state prepares for the November midterm elections.
The governor said the investigation was intended to be thorough and impartial and emphasized that public officials are expected to follow state ethics and workplace policies. Caldwell’s resignation now leaves Sherrill to select a new lieutenant governor while the administration moves forward with its remaining work and election preparations.
#NewJersey #DaleCaldwell #MikieSherrill #Politics #EthicsInvestigation #USNews #CNN
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đź“… Date: September 25, 2026
📰 Source: CNN / New Jersey Governor’s Office / ABC News
đź“Ś Topic: New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell, ethics investigation and resignation
