(The Center Square) – Democratic New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under investigation for concerning misconduct with women and possible ethics violations, Gov. Mikie Sherrill acknowledged Tuesday.
In a brief statement – which comes days after news of the accusations broke – Sherrill didn't specifically name Caldwell or disclose details of the behavior. She also said she hasn't independently confirmed the investigation.
“I take my responsibility to treat any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously, and any credible report must be fully examined and addressed," the first-term Democrat said Tuesday.
Sherrill, a former congresswoman who took over the governor's office in January following a November election win, urged anyone with additional details to "come forward" and that "if the evidence warrants, I will take appropriate action quickly." A previous statement from Sherrill's office after news of the probe surfaced Friday had called the issue a "personnel matter."
New Jersey is one of 27 states with the governor and lieutenant governor elected on a single ticket, akin to the president and vice president for America.
The lieutenant governor position got a salary bump to $210,000 from $175,000 in January. Caldwell, like lieutenant governors in Utah, Hawaii and Alaska, is granted authority as the secretary of state by virtue of being lieutenant governor.
If the governor leaves the state, the lieutenant governor assumes responsibility in her absence.
“Anyone must know that they can come forward with a complaint and they will be safe from retaliation," said Sherrill, a first-term Democrat. "The subject of a complaint must also know and be confident that their rights will be protected as well and they will receive a fair and thorough review."
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.
The investigation got underway secretly two months ago, according to published reports. Those said Sherrill hired former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino to oversee the probe after being made aware of the accusations, a point potentially rebutted by the governor saying Tuesday she had not confirmed the investigation.
GOP officials point out that at one point Caldwell – a Methodist pastor and former president of Centenary University – was acting New Jersey governor for several days while Sherrill traveled to Massachusetts and other states to campaign for congressional candidates, even as he was under investigation.
“Let that sink in," said New Jersey GOP Chairwoman Christine Giordano Hanlon. "New Jersey had an acting governor under investigation for inappropriate conduct toward women and potential ethics violations, and the administration that promised to be the most transparent in history kept it quiet for months. The fact that this investigation has been going on for months clearly indicates that these are very serious allegations."
Republicans have formally called on Sherrill's office to disclose when the investigation began, who authorized it, and commit publicly to releasing the findings of the investigation when it concludes.
"We have been here before," Assembly Republican Leader John DiMaioi, R-Warren, said in a statement. "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."