Spadea questions Caldwell's denial after his resignation
Bill SpadeaRadio host reassessing his earlier opinion in a New Jersey 101.5 column
Spadea revisits his earlier defense and says Caldwell's resignation makes him question whether the investigative conclusions were more accurate than Caldwell admits. He still says an accusation does not establish guilt.
“That's odd and makes me question whether the conclusions of the investigation were more accurate than the former lieutenant governor is saying.”
Analysis
Other statements by Bill Spadea in this case
- Spadea argues Caldwell should fight the resignation demandEarlier: Defended or excused
Where this statement fits
Should Dale Caldwell resign as New Jersey's lieutenant governor after the investigation's findings?
On September 24, 2026, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill released a 61-page report, with exhibits, by the law firm Lowenstein Sandler LLP and called on Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell to resign by the next day. The firm, engaged by the Governor's Chief Ethics Officer after an anonymous complaint dated May 6, found that Caldwell made a comment to a female staffer that constituted sexual harassment under the state workplace policy, and that he violated state ethics rules by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without payment and by seeking a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship. Caldwell, through his lawyer Thomas Calcagni, disputes all three findings, denies making the comment, and says the process was one-sided and lacked due process; in a May 28 letter he called the complaint's accusations false. Republican leaders called for him to resign or step down before the report was released. The Associated Press reports that the Governor cannot fire a lieutenant governor and that the Legislature can impeach and remove one. The statement issued for Caldwell on September 24 did not say whether he would resign. On September 25, Sherrill announced that Caldwell had resigned, The Philadelphia Inquirer and ABC News report. In a statement on his resignation, Caldwell said it should not be read as an admission of wrongdoing and that he strongly disputes the report; his lawyer said counsel would continue to challenge it.
Source and context
Analysis
About this source
Spadea says Caldwell's departure weakens his confidence in Caldwell's denial. He continues to distinguish accusations from proof of guilt.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
Spadea recalls defending Caldwell's right to contest the allegations while remaining in office. He then contrasts that defense with Caldwell's decision to resign.
After the quotation
Spadea maintains that accusations alone do not establish guilt and that due process applies.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference is Caldwell's account of the investigation. Spadea challenges that account's credibility without concluding that every allegation has been proved.
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More from this case
Read the full caseThe Inquirer board says the reported conduct warranted Caldwell's departure
The Philadelphia Inquirer
“But Caldwell’s alleged behavior would and should constitute a firing offense in any number of more obscure private-sector jobs.”Read statement
Caldwell calls the investigation's report "specious" and says he is not resigning because of it
“The report, I think, was just specious. There are all sorts of wrong things and mistakes. I'm not resigning because of that ridiculous report. I'm resigning because I don't want to be a distraction to the Mikie Sherrill administration.”Read statement
New Jersey editorial board calls the findings a pattern of improper conduct
USA TODAY Network New Jersey Editorial Board
“Taken together, the findings show a pattern of improper conduct and poor judgment.”Read statement
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The Dispute Index. "Spadea questions Caldwell's denial after his resignation". First published: 2026-11-01. Last updated: 2026-11-01. https://disputeindex.com/events/7654-spadea-revisits-his-earlier-defense-and-says-caldwell