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Former NJ Lt Gov Resigns Amid Sexual Harassment Probe
Confirmed
In Short: Dale Caldwell resigned as New Jersey's lieutenant governor after an ethics report found he violated state policy and engaged in sexual harassment.
Former New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell resigned Friday following an ethics investigation that found he violated state policy and engaged in sexual harassment.
The 61-page report, conducted by an independent law firm, detailed repeated ethics violations, including a 'substantiated' finding of sexual harassment and improper efforts to secure a state job promotion for a woman with whom he was romantically involved.
According to the probe, Caldwell violated ethics rules after telling a female staffer that 'you young women are looking for young sperm' after she told him her younger friend was not interested in a romantic relationship with him.
Caldwell told Fox News Digital that he resigned to avoid being a distraction for the Sherrill administration, adding, 'If I'm going to impede anybody else's ability to be successful, then I can move on to something else.
Sherrill, who demanded Caldwell's resignation, said she was committed to changing what she described as a longstanding problem in state government with people turning a blind eye to sexual harassment.
Caldwell's resignation comes amid a broader national conversation about sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace, including incidents involving lawmakers and media personalities.
The investigation concluded that Caldwell's denial of making the inappropriate remark was not credible, and that his behavior constituted sexual harassment.
Sherrill's decision to commission the investigation more than three months ago underscores the seriousness with which she views the issue of sexual harassment in state government.
What this adds
The report's findings are particularly troubling given the context of ongoing discussions about sexual harassment and misconduct in various sectors.
What's confirmed
- Former New Jersey Lieutenant Governor Dale Caldwell resigned Friday following an ethics investigation that found he violated state policy and engaged in sexual harassment.
- The 61-page report, conducted by an independent law firm, detailed repeated ethics violations, including a 'substantiated' finding of sexual harassment and improper efforts to secure a state job promotion for a woman with whom he was romantically involved.
- According to the probe, Caldwell violated ethics rules after telling a female staffer that 'you young women are looking for young sperm' after she told him her younger friend was not interested in a romantic relationship with him.
- Caldwell told Fox News Digital that he resigned to avoid being a distraction for the Sherrill administration, adding, 'If I'm going to impede anybody else's ability to be successful, then I can move on to something else.
- Sherrill, who demanded Caldwell's resignation, said she was committed to changing what she described as a longstanding problem in state government with people turning a blind eye to sexual harassment.
- Caldwell's resignation comes amid a broader national conversation about sexual harassment and misconduct in the workplace, including incidents involving lawmakers and media personalities.
- The investigation concluded that Caldwell's denial of making the inappropriate remark was not credible, and that his behavior constituted sexual harassment.
- Sherrill's decision to commission the investigation more than three months ago underscores the seriousness with which she views the issue of sexual harassment in state government.
What's still developing
- She also called the claims of sexual harassment "substantiated" and said Caldwell continued to violate standards despite "multiple" violations and ethics trainings.
- Mikie Sherrill, while directly disputing the findings of a sexual harassment and ethics probe that forced him from office.
- Speaking on camera for the first time since his resignation to a reporter outside his home, Caldwell slammed the state's investigative report as "specious," "ridiculous" and "poorly done," adding he resigned to keep any "distraction" away from the Sherrill administration.
- Other findings from the probe included violations of the code of conduct and ethics around bringing guests to ticketed events without reimbursement and seeking a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship.
- At the time, the university was being sued as part of athletics-department scandals involving sexual harassment and hazing.
- According to the complaint filed by Wakode's father, Ravindra Chakradhar Wankhade, his son had been subjected to severe mental harassment and casteist remarks for around three months.
- It also appealed against speculation while the probe is underway.
- Mumbai: The investigation into the death of IIT Bombay student Sahil Wakode has been transferred to the Mumbai Crime Branch after his father alleged that his son faced caste-based abuse, threats and mental harassment by a professor in the months preceding his death.
- The House voted to censure Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-N.C., as Congress has grappled with multiple incidents of alleged sexual harassment and misconduct by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
- Guest noted on the House floor that the investigation did not find evidence that Edwards engaged in sexual activity, nor did he explicitly proposition the staffers, but that his "conduct toward two young female staffers was inappropriate and violated rules prohibiting sexual harassment," and that it created a hostile work environment.
- "Generosity is not sexual harassment. Caring deeply about the people with whom you've worked for years is not sexual harassment," Edwards said.
- Trey Gowdy calls out current and former members of Congress facing harassment allegations, demanding clear rules and robust enforcement to protect young staffers on Capitol Hill from misconduct.