By Matt Rooney
Sixteen days.
That’s how long it’s been since New Jerseyans learned from The New Jersey Globe that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell — Mikie Sherrill’s handpicked No. 2 — is the subject of an outside investigation involving allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women and possible ethics violations.
And Mikie Sherrill still won’t come clean about what’s going on.
The story broke September 4th, but the investigation itself reportedly dates back months (to the campaign phase, before last November’s election). Former Attorney General Christopher Porrino was retained to conduct the inquiry, which News 12 reported was handed to outside counsel back in June.
Yet nearly two-and-a-half weeks after the scandal became public, Sherrill still hasn’t told taxpayers what exactly is being investigated, when she first learned about the allegations, what the investigation has uncovered, or when New Jerseyans can expect answers.
She won’t even say whether she still has confidence in Caldwell despite leaving him in charge as acting governor NUMEROUS TIMES since the allegations reportedly came to light.
Caldwell, for his part, has denied allegations that he used his office to pursue women romantically and has pushed back against the accusations. He knows more than we do! Meanwhile, witnesses are complaining to the press that they were never interviewed.
This isn’t some obscure Trenton bureaucrat. Caldwell is New Jersey’s lieutenant governor and secretary of state – his responsibilities include overseeing New Jersey elections. He has even served as acting governor while the investigation was reportedly underway.
That makes Sherrill’s continued silence all the more indefensible.
Remember: this is the same administration that talks endlessly about “transparency” and “accountability.” Apparently those principles become considerably more flexible when the person facing scrutiny is the governor’s own running mate.
Sixteen days. No meaningful disclosure. No explanation. No answers to the most basic questions.
Governor: what are you hiding?
