New Jersey Lt Gov Dale Caldwell resigns after sexual harassment investigation

New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell stepped down Friday, hours after Governor Mikie Sherrill's deadline for him to leave office once an outside inquiry found he had committed sexual harassment and several ethics breaches. Speaking in Trenton, Sherrill said Caldwell had failed to meet the standards of her administration, showing a repeated pattern of conduct that broke state policy through serious, recurring lapses. She said Caldwell submitted his resignation that afternoon and that she accepted it, according to Fox News · PBS NewsHour.

Investigators concluded that Caldwell made the comment, "you young women are looking for young sperm," to a female staff member after she said a younger friend of hers had declined his romantic interest, and found his denial that he said it unconvincing. Before resigning, Caldwell had insisted the allegations were false and misleading and said he expected to be cleared once the facts came out.

Because Caldwell had also held the role of acting secretary of state, Sherrill appointed state comptroller Shirley Emehelu to fill that position immediately, citing the need for stability just 39 days before the midterm elections. Sherrill said it was particularly critical for New Jersey's elections to run smoothly and for voters across the state to have full confidence in the officials overseeing them.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News · PBS NewsHour’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News · PBS NewsHour →