6 Shocking Revelations From The Dale Caldwell Investigation

After a months-long investigation that was only brought into the spotlight three weeks ago, officials have determined that Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell committed several ethical violations in office.

On Thursday evening, Governor Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report of the investigation into Caldwell, which found him to have sexually harassed women and repeatedly violated state ethics rules in his capacities as Lt. Governor and Secretary of State.

Specifically, investigators substantiated three separate violations. Caldwell violated New Jersey’s workplace policy through conduct toward a female staffer, violated ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without paying or reimbursing admission, and violated ethics rules by advocating for a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship, according to the report.

As a result, Sherrill has called on the Lieutenant Governor to resign from his position by Friday.

“These violations substantiated in the investigation reflect a pattern of behavior that does not meet the standards of this Administration. The ethical lapses persisted despite multiple warnings and trainings. The substantiated finding of sexual harassment is extremely troubling,” Sherrill said. “The Lieutenant Governor’s resignation is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents.”

Caldwell's attorney, Thomas Calcagni, released a statement disputing the investigation's findings, saying "the conclusions go further than the evidence supports."

The statement gave no indication that Caldwell would resign.

The 61-page report was compiled by former NJ Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino and law partner Shontae D. Gray from Lowenstein Sandler LLP.

Investigators interviewed several witnesses, examined dozens of communications, and spoke with Caldwell himself to determine what allegations were facts, the report reads. Those facts were then cross-referenced with the state's Uniform Ethics Code to determine whether it was violated.

Here are six takeaways from the investigation into Caldwell:

1. A Damning Letter

The investigation opened up not long after the New Jersey Chief of Ethics received an anonymous letter, dated May 6, accusing Caldwell of wrongdoing.

Specifically, the letter accuses Caldwell of bringing “uninvited female guests to events while traveling using taxpayer funds." It says that he could bring these women to ticketed events without paying for their entry because “no one wants to tell him, 'no'."

It also accuses him of “hitting on women at functions while traveling using taxpayer money," and "handing out his state business cards and asking women out on dates." The complaint adds that the power imbalance between Caldwell and these women seemed coercive.

On May 28, six days after being notified of the investigation, Caldwell responded to the letter, adamantly denying all of the allegations.

“The accusations contained in this complaint are inaccurate, misleading, and completely false,” Caldwell wrote to the Chief of Ethics. “For that reason, I fully welcome a fair, objective, and professional review of these allegations by the attorneys and investigators assigned to this matter because I am confident that the facts will fully clear my name.”

2. “Young Sperm”

The investigation found evidence that Caldwell had made sexual advances and remarks toward a female staffer and her friend, who was “much younger than him,” in April.

The report says after the friend rebuffed his request to take her dancing, he told his staffer that women like them need help from men in his position, adding, “You young women are looking for young sperm."

The staffer, riding in a car with Caldwell at the time of the incident, snapped a photo on her phone to time-stamp it. The incident made her make an effort to avoid Caldwell whenever possible, especially avoiding car rides with him.

Investigators found that Caldwell’s conduct “constituted sexual harassment, and was derogatory or demeaning in reference to the staffer's sex, which is a protected category.”

Investigators did not find Caldwell’s denial of the comment credible.

3. Promotion For Girlfriend

The report also found that Caldwell was pushing for a promotion for a woman he was romantically involved with.

In May, after Caldwell was notified of the investigation into him, he reached out to a high-ranking state official recommending a woman for a senior position. Caldwell did not tell the official that he was dating the woman.

When the official found out about their relationship, he denied the promotion, saying, “The perception was that he was pushing for a job for someone he is dating.”

Caldwell also made an inquiry to a separate department, saying his girlfriend would make a “great addition,” and asking what types of higher-level positions were available. He again did not disclose his relationship with her in the inquiry.

Caldwell, after admitting the woman was an “on-and-off” girlfriend, told investigators that he believed it would only be unethical had he “insisted” that she be hired.

The woman was never promoted and is no longer a state employee.

4. No Ticket, No Problem

The report found that between Feb. 19 and May 23, Caldwell had brought several guests to at least seven events without purchasing tickets for them.

Specifically, Caldwell brought women to galas, operas, luncheons, and more “without payment or reimbursement,” the report says. Ticket prices for these events ranged from $65 to $300.

One of these guests was the same woman he tried to get promoted, the report adds.

In February, a staffer urged Caldwell to "notify staff before arriving at an event with a guest," so that proper reimbursement be provided, but Caldwell continued to bring guests to events unpaid and unannounced.

After learning of the investigation, Caldwell paid for one guest's ticket reimbursement for a single event, the report adds.

5. Multiple Warnings, Training Sessions

According to the report, Caldwell had received several warnings from state officials about his behavior with women, even after undergoing ethics training, but continued the conduct.

Between January and May, Caldwell underwent six formal and informal training sessions regarding ethics while working for the state.

In March, an advisor had a private meeting with Caldwell to address a “concerning pattern” regarding his approaches to women, adding that “the behavior was problematic.”

Then, on May 1, ethics training staff and senior officials met privately with Caldwell, concerned about his behavior related to women. Caldwell said the officials warned him to be careful because “people are watching everything that he does.”

Despite these warnings and training, Caldwell would continue the conduct, according to the report.

6. Finding A “First Lady”

There were several instances in the report where Caldwell would comment about finding a “first lady,” implying he was looking for a wife.

In one instance, Caldwell tasked a staffer with finding him a “first lady,” with the staffer saying he was “pushy” on the subject.

In another instance, Caldwell told a staffer that if he ran for Governor he would need a first lady, so “if she came across someone suitable she should let the (Caldwell) know,” the report reads.

At least four staffers heard the “first lady” remarks from Caldwell, in different instances. Two staffers, however, denied ever hearing similar comments.

Caldwell admitted to making the remarks, chalking them up to jokes.

“He said he would stop doing it if someone found it inappropriate, but no one ever told him that he made them feel uncomfortable,” the report reads.

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Click here to read the full report.