New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is under an internal investigation launched by Gov. Mikie Sherrill's administration over allegations he behaved inappropriately toward women, two Democratic sources outside governor's office confirmed to NJ.com on Friday.
Sherrill, a Democrat who was sworn in alongside Caldwell a little more than seven months ago, hired an outside law firm to handle the probe. It's being led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino, said the sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to discuss the matter publicly
Investigators are interviewing witnesses and complainants, according to the New Jersey Globe, the first to report the news Friday. They are also investigating whether Caldwell committed ethics violations, including offering state jobs, according to the report.
Sherrill's office declined to confirm or deny the inquiry.
"The Governor would take any reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct extremely seriously and expects our public officials to hold themselves to the highest standards," Sean Higgins, a spokesman for the Democratic governor, said in a statement. "We cannot confirm or deny potential personnel matters."
Caldwell, a 66-year-old Methodist pastor and veteran government official, is cooperating with the investigation, the Globe report said. He did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment from NJ.com.
Porrino, who was attorney general under Republican former Gov. Chris Christie and is now a partner at politically connected New Jersey law firm Lowenstein Sandler, also did not return a message.
Details of the probe and the specific allegations were scarce Friday. Several top Democratic sources said they didn't know the scope or didn't return calls seeking comment.
The investigation was going on before Caldwell served as acting governor last week while Sherrill was away on a political trip, the Globe reported.
The investigation has actually lasted for months, beginning with an anonymous tip in the spring, according to a separate report Friday by business news site BINJE. Caldwell met with Porrino two months ago, that report said.
It's unclear whether Sherrill is considering replacing Caldwell as her second-in-command.
Caldwell, a fellow Democrat, serves as acting governor when Sherrill is out of state. He is also New Jersey's secretary of state, a role in which he oversees the state's elections.
He has made several public appearances during the probe and is not expected to be sidelined, according to the BINJE report.
"I think it's become very real in a hurry," one Democratic source told NJ.com on Friday. "I don't yet know about it substantively. But I think hiring an outside firm is a real step toward you're taking this serious and you don't feel an obligation to unduly protect someone."
Another Democrat said: "I would be shocked if he remained lieutenant governor. I think it's a matter of time."
State Senate Republican Leader Anthony Bucco, R-Morris, on Friday called on Caldwell to temporarily step down.
"The reported allegations against Lt. Gov. Caldwell are deeply concerning and disappointing," Bucco said in a statement. "Our elected officials must hold themselves to the highest possible standards of conduct, character, and integrity.
"The public deserves transparency and timely information about matters of this magnitude. ... The offices of Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State are far too important to be consumed by this level of distraction while these serious allegations are being investigated."
State Assemblyman Al Barlas, R-Essex, called for "a truly independent and thorough investigation into these allegations" and for Caldwell to be immediately placed on administrative leave without pay until the probe is complete.
"He shouldn't be collecting a taxpayer-funded paycheck while using state government as his personal Tinder account," Barlas wrote on social media.
Civil rights advocate and Sherrill ally Jeannine LaRue said she was unaware of the allegations.
"I say everybody take a deep breath and find out exactly what folks are talking about," LaRue told NJ.com. "I'm glad the governor is taking the whole thing seriously. She's acting very quickly. I think nobody knows at this point what allegations there are."
Sherrill chose Caldwell, who has a long and diverse career in public service, as her running mate in last year's gubernatorial race. Caldwell was most recently president of Centenary University in Hackettstown, serving as the school's first Black leader.
He is also a former longtime member and one-time president of the New Brunswick Board of Education, a former deputy commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs, pastor of Covenant Methodist Church in Plainfield, and former president of the United States Tennis Association's eastern section.
Sherrill and Caldwell won last year's election by 14 percentage points and took office in January.
NJ.com staff writer Jeff Goldman contributed to this report.
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