While the news of an investigation of Lt. Governor Dale Caldwell for alleged inappropriate behavior with women broke publicly Friday afternoon, the investigation itself has been going on for many months, BINJE has learned.
The investigation, which is being run by former Attorney General Chris Porrino of Lowenstein Sandler, began in late spring following an anonymous tip, BINJE has learned.
Caldwell, who has been fully cooperating in the probe, met with Porrino two months ago, BINJE has learned.
What the investigation has uncovered — and how long it will last — remains unclear. For now, the investigation is not expected to sideline Caldwell, who has maintained a vigorous schedule of public and private appearances since taking office in January as both the Lt. Governor and Secretary of State.
Caldwell has made many public speaking appearances — including Thursday morning at the Princeton-Mercer Chamber — and served as acting governor many times since the investigation began.
The existence of the investigation was first reported by David Wildstein of The New Jersey Globe.
As one would expect, the revelation has led to numerous amounts of speculation about Caldwell’s future, (see Brent Johnson’s story on NJ.com), but few on-the-record comments.
No one BINJE spoke to was authorized to speak publicly. Caldwell and Porrino did not immediately return requests from BINJE for comment. And the Governor’s Office only released a statement through spokesperson Sean Higgins.
“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,” the statement said. “We cannot confirm or deny potential personnel matters.”
Caldwell brings a unique background to the Lt. Governor role. While he was never an elected official, he has a work history that had him frequently in the public eye.
He left the role as President of Centenary University to take the job. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of the Rothman Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship within the Silberman College of Business at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
He also served on the New Brunswick Board of Education for 26 years, as well as President of the Educational Services Commission of New Jersey, Deputy Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and founding Executive Director of the Newark Alliance.
A graduate of Princeton, he has served as a United Methodist Pastor at Covenant United Methodist Church in Plainfield.
Those who know Caldwell, say this investigation will not slow him down.
“He loves serving the people of New Jersey and working to make this a better place for everyone,” one person said.
