(The Center Square) — Democratic New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill has asked Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to step down by Friday after releasing details of a damaging investigation into sexual harassment claims against him.
"These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration," Sherrill said in a statement late Thursday. "The ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings. The substantiated finding of sexual harassment is extremely troubling."
"I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so," Sherrill said, calling the report's sexual harassment findings "extremely troubling."
The four-month internal investigation, conducted by former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino, revealed "credible evidence" that Caldwell made a romantic advance toward a female staffer’s friend. When she rebuffed his advances, he allegedly told the staff member ''you young women are looking for young sperm,'” according to the report.
But Caldwell, through his attorney Thomas Calcagni, remained defiant late Thursday, claiming the investigation was "one-sided" and that it didn't afford him due process.
"The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations or offer readily identifiable witnesses who possessed more pertinent, first-hand knowledge of the events in question," Calcagni said in a statement. "It appears, in fact, that even those who voluntarily came forward with first-hand accounts were entirely excluded from the process."
Calcagni also said the report "cites no evidence" that Caldwell ordered anyone to promote the woman, "or controlled the hiring decision or demanded that she receive a new position."
"And, most importantly, she did not receive a promotion, a raise or any other state benefit and ultimately left state government," the statement said.
Sherrill, a former congresswoman who took over the governor's office in January following a November election win, revealed the internal investigation earlier this month and urged possible victims to come forward to authorities.
But Sherrill was also criticized for allowing Caldwell – a Methodist pastor and former president of Centenary University – to serve as acting New Jersey governor for several days while she traveled to Massachusetts and other states to campaign for congressional candidates, even as he was under investigation.
New Jersey Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, have been calling for Sherrill to place Caldwell on leave, while others have urged him to step down while the investigation is ongoing.
In a statement Thursday, Bucco said he was "disappointed" by the allegations against Caldwell outlined in the investigation and echoed calls for his resignation.
"This situation has gone on for far too long, and if he doesn’t agree to resign, the Legislature should follow the necessary protocols to resolve this matter once and for all," he said.
New Jersey is one of 27 states with the governor and lieutenant governor elected on a single ticket, similar to the president and vice president. Caldwell took over the post in January and received a salary bump from $ 175,000 to $ 210,000.
Like lieutenant governors in Utah, Hawaii and Alaska, Caldwell also serves as secretary of state. Sherrill is expected to strip Caldwell of his secretariat post if he doesn't immediately resign.
