New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns after release of damaging ethics report

New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell has resigned from his position following an investigation that found he violated state ethics and harassment policy, Gov. Mikie Sherrill said Friday at a press conference.

“He submitted his resignation to me this afternoon, which I accepted,” Sherrill said. Caldwell was not present at the announcement.

On Thursday, Sherrill urged Caldwell’s resignation after releasing a report summarizing the findings of a probe of his behavior conducted by a law firm hired by the state, which found evidence that he violated ethics rules by committing sexual harassment.

In a statement Thursday, Sherrill said that Caldwell, a fellow Democrat, “engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office. I’m calling for his resignation and giving him until tomorrow to do so.”

Caldwell’s resignation, she added, “is necessary and in the best interest of New Jersey residents.”

Investigators said in the 61-page report that they found credible evidence that Caldwell violated workplace policy “in his conduct by commenting to a female staffer that young women want ‘young sperm.’”

They also found he violated an ethics code and code of conduct “when he brought guests to ticketed events without payment…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health