St. Paul’s outside investigation found Mayor Kaohly Her violated workplace conduct policies, yet she remains in office while her police chief’s harassment lawsuit moves forward.
Story Snapshot
- The city’s investigation found “offensive and inappropriate” conduct but not legal harassment.
- Police Chief Axel Henry alleges sexual comments, unwanted touching, and retaliation in court.
- Investigators reviewed 55,000 texts and interviewed 11 people, adding documentary weight.
- Her admits crossing lines and apologizes, while denying harassment and retaliation.
What The Lawsuit And Probe Say Happened
Police Chief Axel Henry sued St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her in Ramsey County Court in September. He alleges sexualized comments, unwanted touching under a table, and retaliation after he complained. The city hired an outside law firm to investigate. The full report says Her engaged in offensive and inappropriate behavior and created an uncomfortable workplace. It did not find conduct that met the legal definition of sexual harassment or retaliation under city policy. That split fuels a tense standoff inside city hall.
Investigators interviewed Her, Henry, and nine others, and reviewed more than 55,000 text messages from Her’s city and personal phones, according to reporting that summarized the probe. The volume of messages suggests a detailed review of tone, frequency, and boundaries in their exchanges. Henry’s complaint describes specific moments, including crude references and alleged thigh touching. Those details remain allegations in court filings and media accounts, not findings of fact by the city’s probe at this stage.
How Each Side Frames The Same Facts
Her said the investigation cleared her of harassment and retaliation claims. She acknowledged becoming too informal and crossing lines, and she apologized for any discomfort she caused. She said some texts were attempts at humor that fell short of her standards. Her’s office has stressed that the independent review did not substantiate the legal labels Henry used. Because the case is active, city officials said they would not comment in depth about evidence or motives while litigation continues.
Henry’s legal team points to policy violations and an “uncomfortable work environment” finding as proof that Her’s conduct crossed professional lines. The suit also argues he faced retaliation after raising concerns, a claim that often turns on timing and documented actions. Public reporting so far does not map a full chain between his complaint and specific job harm, which could be hashed out during discovery and depositions in court.
Why The Distinction Matters For The Public
Residents often hear “not harassment” and think “no problem.” Employment law draws a tighter circle. Conduct can be improper and still fall short of the legal threshold for harassment. The city’s report used that middle ground, citing inappropriate behavior and policy breaches without the harassment label. That gap can frustrate people across the spectrum who expect clear accountability when standards are broken, especially by the person who sets those standards for everyone else.
A police chief is suing his own mayor, alleging sexual harassment, unwanted touching and retaliation after he complained.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry claims Mayor Kaohly Her called herself a "MILF," made sexually suggestive remarks about his body and placed her hand on his… pic.twitter.com/wIJvN5jJbf
— Mike Netter (@nettermike) September 27, 2026
Trust is the practical issue. St. Paul needs its mayor and police chief aligned on safety, budgets, and morale. Instead, the city is navigating apologies, denials, and a lawsuit. Many Americans see echoes of a larger pattern: officials protect their own while process drags on. Transparency can help. Releasing more of the underlying materials, within legal limits, would show what witnesses said and how investigators weighed proof. Until then, the city must enforce its policies the same way for everyone.
Sources:
twincities.com, cbsnews.com, foxnews.com, startribune.com
