St. Paul, Minnesota, Mayor Kaohly Her is being investigated following a harassment lawsuit filed by Police Chief Axel Henry. Henry accuses the mayor of sexually harassing city staff, including officers, and sending lewd text messages. In response, Mayor Her stated her attempts at humor were inappropriate and has agreed to cooperate with the independent investigation.
Chief Henry, leading the St. Paul police since 2022, brought forth allegations that Her made several inappropriate remarks. The lawsuit, extending to 73 pages, details incidents such as the mayor calling herself a ‘MILF’ and making sexual comments about Henry’s genitalia. Her is also accused of making unwelcome physical contact during a budget meeting, such as placing her hand on Henry’s thigh beneath a conference table.
Additional claims include Her expressing marital issues, urging a close friendship with Henry to succeed in their working relationship. Reports indicate that Her frequented the police department gym when Henry was there, referring to him and others as ‘beefy,’ and purportedly simulating an orgasm during workouts.
The lawsuit mentions an awards ceremony where Henry wore a Mobile Field Force ribbon, abbreviated as ‘MFF.’ Her allegedly commented on the abbreviation, suggesting, “Oh, I thought it said MILF so maybe I could get one.”
In another instance from December, during a meeting with St. Paul Port Authority President Todd Hurley at a cigar lounge, Her allegedly threatened to accuse Henry of inappropriate behavior if her demands were unmet.
An incident in February describes Her unexpectedly joining Henry and a colleague on their vacation at a golf simulator in Woodbury, Minnesota. She supposedly remarked about her surprise visit and stayed for around 20 minutes.
After Henry lodged an internal complaint, the lawsuit suggests Her and her administration attempted to retaliate against him by excluding him from decisions, withholding documents, and releasing a brief summary of the investigation to minimize her actions.
A statement from Her’s office claims that an independent investigation did not support the harassment allegations. The mayor asserts she will continue to lead St. Paul and follow the report’s recommendations, though the city refrains from commenting further on ongoing litigation.
Recently, Mayor Her reassigned her personal security and driver services from the St. Paul Police Department to the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.