Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell forcefully fought back against allegations of misconduct toward women — including an allegation that he romantically pursued women while working in his official capacity — in a letter to Christina Fullam, the state’s Chief Ethics Officer, on May 28.
“I have never asked anyone out on a date, “hit on,” or pursued anyone romantically while conducting official business as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State,” he wrote. “Throughout my career in government, higher education, nonprofit leadership, ministry and public service, I have consistently conducted myself professionally and respectfully.”
Caldwell went on to write that an allegation that he selectively distributed business cards to women for inappropriate reasons is “categorically untrue” — adding that, “in most cases,” he provides the contact information of his senior advisor.
The letter, obtained by BINJE, provides an insight into the allegations that led to an investigation of Caldwell that became public on Sept. 4.
Caldwell wrote that he was responding to allegations made against him in a letter to the state, dated May 6. Caldwell wrote that he received a copy of that letter on May 26.
“I take these allegations extremely seriously,” he wrote. “Throughout my entire professional life, I have worked to serve others with integrity, discipline, scholarship, faith, and respect for all people. Therefore, it is deeply disappointing and personally painful for someone to attempt to damage my reputation and slander my character with false and misleading accusations.”
Caldwell, reached by BINJE late Tuesday night, declined to discuss the situation.
A spokesperson for Gov. Mikie Sherrilll did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday morning. On Tuesday, the governor, in a statement, said “appropriate action” would be taken if warranted.
In the May 28 letter to Fullam, Caldwell noted the extensive travel schedule he has undertaken in the role, saying it likely is greater than any previous Lt. Governor and has enabled him to interact with thousands of people throughout the state.
“I have worked tirelessly to represent the administration in a positive, ethical, professional and gentlemanly manner,” he wrote. “I believe it is important for residents across the state to know that this Administration wants to hear from them directly so that we can serve them better.”
Caldwell also suggested in the letter that race could be a factor in the allegations.
“While I am troubled by this accusation, as the first single Black man to serve at this level in government, I suspect that there will be other false accusations or rumors in the future,” he wrote. “Unfortunately, in this current political environment, false accusations, especially against people of color, seem to be commonplace.”
Reports last week from various outlets, including BINJE, the New Jersey Globe (which was the first to report the existence of the investigation), NJ Advance Media and others indicated that former Attorney General Chirs Porrino and his law partner at Lowenstein Sandler, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae Gray, are leading an investigation of Caldwell.
BINJE was the first to report the investigation has been going on for many months.
It is not clear how many people have been interviewed, what has been discovered or how long the inquiry will last.
Caldwell, in his May 28 letter to Fulham, said he welcomed the investigation.
“I will cooperate fully with any review process because I firmly believe that truth, professionalism, facts and integrity ultimately will prevail over rumor, innuendo, and false accusations,” he wrote.
