Key points
- Caldwell resigned after a state investigation
- Caldwell says he ran the report through AI about 59 times
- The governor's office stands by the findings
Former New Jersey Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell is citing AI responses to challenge the sexual-harassment finding in the investigation that led to his resignation. He says he submitted the report to multiple AI platforms about 59 times and none reached the same conclusion.
Caldwell made the comments in an on-camera interview with NJ PBS anchor Rob Nelson, according to NJ.com. He said he asked the platforms repeatedly, "What would your findings be?"
"So you AI'ed your own report?" Nelson asked. "Multiple AI platforms," Caldwell replied. "And none of them came up with sexual harassment."
"Everyone should put that through," Caldwell said. "And I think we can use AI to stop legal abuse."
NJ.com didn't report which AI platforms Caldwell used.
What the investigation found
Gov. Mikie Sherrill released the findings on Sept. 24 and gave Caldwell until the next day to resign. The investigation was initiated by the chief ethics officer and co-led by former state Attorney General Christopher Porrino. Sherrill said it found that Caldwell "engaged in serious, repeated violations of state policy and failed to uphold the responsibilities of his office."
The 61-page report found credible evidence that Caldwell told a female staffer that young women want "young sperm," NBC News reported. It also found that he brought guests to ticketed events without payment or reimbursement, and that he sought a promotion for a state employee he had a romantic relationship with.
Caldwell resigned on Sept. 25. His lawyers said the investigation's conclusions "go further than the evidence supports."
The governor's office stands by the report
Sherrill spokesman Sean Higgins said the "independent investigation, conducted by a respected former attorney general, substantiated serious violations of state ethics rules and found that his conduct constituted sexual harassment."
Caldwell said he was investigated for 133 of his 245 days in office. "That's why I think I'm targeted," he said. In another interview, he called the inquiry a "hit job," and he has said he is exploring "legal remedies."
