Thomas Calcagni

Response to this claim

The credible evidence substantiates that Lt. Gov. Dale Caldwell violated the state workplace policy by commenting to a female staffer that young women want "young sperm," conduct the report finds constituted sexual harassment, and violated the Uniform Ethics Code and the Governor's Code of Conduct by bringing personal guests to ticketed events without payment or reimbursement and by seeking a promotion for a state employee with whom he had a romantic relationship.

“This unnecessarily protracted and one-sided process lacked the requisite due process that should be afforded every citizen of this state … The Lieutenant Governor was not provided a meaningful opportunity to address each of these anonymous allegations or offer readily identifiable witnesses who possessed more pertinent, first-hand knowledge of the events in question. … The most serious finding involves an allegation that Dr. Caldwell made an inappropriate comment during a car ride. Dr. Caldwell categorically denies making that statement. … There is a meaningful difference between making a good-faith error when analyzing the regulations and deliberately using public office for personal benefit. … The Lieutenant Governor participated in the investigative process faithfully to the limited extent permitted, expecting a genuine truth-seeking inquiry. Unfortunately, the report twists seemingly benign phrases, such as ‘executive presence,’ to imply improper motive; relies heavily and unduly on the anonymous complainant’s perceptions, characterizations, and multi-layered hearsay; and disregards the testimony of staffers who did not share those views, as well as the Lieutenant Governor’s own account.”