Lt. Gov. Caldwell Denied Inappropriate Behavior Allegations, Report Says

As reports of an investigation into alleged misconduct by Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell come in, a letter obtained by New Jersey Business News suggests the probe has been going on for months.

The letter, written by Caldwell and dated May 28, is addressed to New Jersey's Chief Ethics Officer Christina Fullam and adamantly denies any inappropriate behavior with women while in office, according to the report.

“I have never asked anyone out on a date, 'hit on,' or pursued anyone romantically while conducting official business as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State,” Caldwell reportedly wrote. “Throughout my career in government, higher education, nonprofit leadership, ministry and public service, I have consistently conducted myself professionally and respectfully.”

The report adds that Caldwell's letter is in response to allegations made against him in a separate letter to the state, dated May 6.

Caldwell wrote that he is taking the allegations "extremely seriously," and called the accusations an "attempt to damage my reputation and slander my character," according to the report.

Read New Jersey Business News' full report here.

Background

On Friday, a bombshell report from the New Jersey Globe revealed that Dale was under investigation by Governor Mikie Sherrill's office for alleged inappropriate behavior with women.

More: NJ Lt. Governor Under Investigation, Report Says

The report says that Caldwell is also being investigated for "possible ethics violations that include the purported offer of state jobs."

According to the Globe, former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino is leading the investigation. Porrino has been interviewing complainants, including state employees, and potential witnesses, the report adds.

Days after the Globe's report, Sherrill released a statement saying that she takes "any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously, and any credible report must be fully examined and addressed."

The governor, while never mentioning specifics of an investigation into Caldwell or otherwise, said she would "take appropriate action quickly" if evidence warrants.

More: Misconduct Allegations Addressed By Gov. Sherrill

"The Governor would take any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously and expects our public officials to hold themselves to the highest standards," Governor's Office spokesperson Sean Higgins told Patch on Friday. "We cannot confirm or deny potential personnel matters."

Sherrill Criticism: 'She Isn't Delivering'

Sherrill's less-than-specific comments were met with criticism from New Jersey Republicans, specifically Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaio.

"We have been here before," DiMaio (R-Warren) said. "A senior official under investigation for alleged misconduct with women. An administration that says nothing publicly. New Jerseyans lived through the Al Alvarez scandal under Governor Murphy, and officials who claimed ignorance were later shown to have known more than they let on. Governor Sherrill promised something different. Right now she isn't delivering it."

Joining DiMaio in criticizing "the governor's silence" is Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips (R-Bergen), who says both Republican and Democrat lawmakers should be demanding answers.

The pair is calling on Sherrill to do the following:

• "Immediately address why Lieutenant Governor Caldwell has not been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation;

• Disclose when the investigation began, who authorized it, and when it will be complete;
• Commit publicly to releasing the findings of the investigation when it concludes;
• Inform legislative leadership directly, not through press reports, of the status and scope of the investigation."

Senator Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) took the criticism even further, calling the situation "a scandal within a scandal."

“If concerns about Caldwell’s conduct were brought to the Sherrill campaign before voters had the opportunity to judge him, and those concerns were ignored, ghosted, or blocked, that raises serious questions about the Governor’s vetting process and judgment," O’Scanlon said. "And, let’s face it, if it comes to that, it’s much easier to replace a candidate than a sitting Lt. Governor."

About the Lieutenant Governor

Caldwell – a New Brunswick resident – was the president of Centenary University in Warren County when Sherrill selected him as her running mate.

He formerly served as the executive director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fairleigh Dickinson University, President of the Educational Services Commission, deputy commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, founding executive director of the Newark Alliance and senior manager at Deloitte Consulting. He volunteered on the New Brunswick school board for 26 years, serving as president for six.

Caldwell is also a pastor of the Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield, where he builds a congregation based on the values of “inclusivity, community, and acceptance,” Sherrill’s team said during her 2025 campaign.