New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill on Tuesday urged anyone with additional allegations to come forward in her first statement regarding reports of an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior with women by her lieutenant governor.
“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. If the evidence warrants, I will take appropriate action quickly,” the first-term Democratic governor said in her statement.
Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is reportedly under investigation by the Sherrill administration for alleged inappropriate behavior, according to a report Friday from the New Jersey Globe. Multiple outlets reported that Sherrill tapped former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Perrino to lead the investigation. A spokesperson for Lowenstein Sadler, where Perrino is a partner, said on Tuesday that the law firm is not commenting on the investigation.
Sherrill did not specifically address Caldwell in her statement and her office has yet to independently confirm that he is under investigation. She said her office would “protect the safety and privacy” of anyone who makes a complaint.
“Anyone must know that they can come forward with a complaint and they will be safe from retaliation. 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,” she said.
Caldwell’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sherrill’s remarks.
Top Democratic leaders in the state have also been quiet on the reports of an investigation. A spokesperson for Senate President Nicholas Scutari declined to comment on Sherrill’s statement Tuesday. House Speaker Craig Coughlin’s office also didn’t respond to a request to comment.
But state Republicans quickly responded after Sherrill issued her statement.
Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio and Assemblymember Christopher DePhillips immediately put out a joint statement calling on the governor to immediately address why Caldwell has not been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, disclose when the investigation began, commit to publicly releasing the findings of the investigation and inform leadership within the state legislature “directly, not through press reports, of the status and scope of the investigation.”
“Those aren't partisan questions," DePhillips said. “They're the basic questions any lawmaker, Republican or Democrat, should be demanding answers to. And the governor should be the one answering them, in public, not her communications shop.”
Democratic State Assemblymember Katie Brennan praised Sherrill Tuesday and said she would introduce legislation that sets “clear standards” for how complaints are investigated and resolved.
“Governor Sherrill moved quickly here, and I’m glad she did, but survivors shouldn’t have to hope that the people in charge will do the right thing. Our laws still fail to protect survivors when they come forward, and that has to change.
In 2017, Brennan accused Al Alvarez, a campaign staffer for former Gov. Phil Murphy, of sexually assaulting her while she was volunteering for the campaign. Prosecutors never charged Alvarez. But Brennan later settled a civil suit against the state and campaign for $1 million.
Brennan’s statement called the allegations against Caldwell “serious.” She called for a “thorough and independent investigation” but did not say whether he should step down from his job.
Other New Jersey Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, have called for Caldwell to step down from his positions in the administration while the investigation is ongoing. Bucco’s office said it did not have anything to add Tuesday.
In addition to his role as lieutenant governor, Caldwell serves as secretary of state, which oversees New Jersey's Division of Elections.
A separate investigation is currently underway into noncitizen voting in the state that occurred before the Sherrill administration took office.
Earlier this year, Sherrill revealed that up to 6,600 noncitizens were registered to vote during the previous administration’s time in office, with roughly 300 casting ballots in elections.
Michael Sol Warren contributed reporting. This article has been updated with comment from Assemblymember Brennan.
