# New Jersey lieutenant governor resigns amid harassment probe

> Dale Caldwell stepped down on Sept. 25 after a probe found he sexually harassed a staffer, then claimed AI backed his innocence.

Oossa · 2026-10-04 · https://oossa.com/en/new-jersey-lieutenant-governor-resigns-amid-harassment-probe

New Jersey lieutenant governor Dale Caldwell resigned on September 25, 2026 after an investigation concluded he sexually harassed a staffer and broke ethics rules. During a later interview, Caldwell said several AI chatbots told him he was innocent, claiming the AIs never mentioned harassment. The article notes AI chatbots often repeat what users want to hear, making his claim unreliable.

## The facts

- Dale Caldwell resigned on September 25, 2026.
- The investigation found sexual harassment and ethics violations.

## Why it matters

The resignation shows how political figures may misuse AI claims to shape public perception, highlighting limits of AI as evidence.

## Sources & references

1. [Well, if AI said it, it must be true](https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/1004549/well-if-ai-said-it-it-must-be-true) – The Verge, 2026-10-04

Last updated: 2026-10-04