New Jersey Democratic Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is reportedly the subject of an internal investigation over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and potential ethics violations.
The probe was launched by Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s office and is being led by former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino, according to multiple outlets.
Porrino’s team is currently interviewing witnesses and complainants and is probing whether Caldwell inappropriately offered people state jobs, the New Jersey Globe first-reported on Friday.
“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,” a Sherrill spokesperson told NJ.com.
The spokesperson declined to “confirm or deny potential personnel matters.”
Caldwell did not respond to the outlet’s request for comment.
The inquiry comes just seven months after Sherrill and Caldwell were sworn in.
In July 2025, Sherrill lauded Caldwell as “voice for the voiceless” and someone who is “committed to New Jersey” when she tapped him to be her running mate against Republican Jack Ciattarelli.
“I’m proud to select Dale Caldwell as my Lieutenant Governor running mate because we share a commitment to public service and challenging the status quo,” Sherrill said at the time. “Dale is the son of civil rights leaders who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Selma — and he’s followed in his parents’ footsteps and he has always been a voice for the voiceless.”
New Jersey Republicans have demanded that Caldwell, who is also the Secretary of State, be placed on leave while the investigation plays out.
“Considering the complex duties of his position, Lt. Gov. Caldwell should temporarily step down from his duties as Lieutenant Governor,” GOP state Senate leader Anthony Bucco wrote on X.
Bucco described the allegations against Caldwell as “deeply concerning and disappointing” and fumed that reports of the investigation came out just before the long Labor Day weekend.
“The public deserves transparency and timely information about matters of this magnitude,” he said. “There are legitimate questions about why this information was not disclosed sooner and why we are just learning about this late on Friday heading into a holiday weekend.”
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