New Jersey Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State Dale Caldwell is under internal investigation over allegations of inappropriate behavior toward several women, according to a report published Friday by the New Jersey Globe.

Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s administration has hired former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino to conduct the investigation. Porrino is working with law partner Shantae Gray, a former Assistant U.S. Attorney, and the two have reportedly begun interviewing complainants and potential witnesses.

The specific allegations against Caldwell have not been publicly detailed, and it remains unclear how long the investigation will take. Sources outside the governor’s office confirmed the existence of the investigation and Porrino’s involvement, according to the Globe.

Caldwell, 66, is cooperating with the investigation. Sherrill’s spokesman Sean Higgins declined to confirm or deny specific personnel matters but said the governor takes reports of inappropriate behavior or misconduct “extremely seriously” and expects public officials to meet high standards.

The investigation comes less than eight months after Caldwell took office alongside Sherrill on Jan. 20. Sherrill selected Caldwell, a former university president and Methodist minister, as her running mate during the 2025 gubernatorial campaign. The Democratic ticket went on to defeat Republican Jack Ciattarelli by roughly 14 percentage points.

As lieutenant governor, Caldwell has also become a prominent member of the Sherrill administration. As secretary of state, he oversees New Jersey’s Division of Elections and serves as the state’s chief election official. The department’s official website currently identifies Caldwell as both lieutenant governor and secretary of state.

The investigation also comes as Caldwell has faced scrutiny in his role overseeing New Jersey elections, including controversies surrounding approximately 6,600 noncitizens who were reportedly placed on state voter rolls because of a Motor Vehicle Commission software issue. Caldwell has said the matter was not caused by his administration.