An outside investigation found St. Paul’s mayor broke workplace rules and made staff uncomfortable, yet she remains in office as a lawsuit presses on.
Story Snapshot
- A city-commissioned report found “offensive and inappropriate” conduct but not legal harassment.
- The police chief’s lawsuit alleges sexual comments, unwanted touching, and retaliation.
- Investigators reviewed interviews and tens of thousands of texts during the probe.
- The mayor admits crossing lines but denies sexual harassment and says she will keep serving.
What the investigation confirmed and what it did not
St. Paul released a seventy-three page independent report that said Mayor Kaohly Her engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior” and created an “uncomfortable work environment,” but did not substantiate sexual harassment or retaliation under city policy. The city first shared a brief summary, then the fuller report. The distinction matters. It shows rule-breaking that fell short of the legal threshold. That gap fuels public anger because policy violations still erode trust in leadership.
The mayor’s office echoed the report’s finding on harassment while admitting boundary problems. A spokesperson said the investigation did not substantiate sexual harassment or retaliation. The mayor said she became too informal, crossed lines, and apologized for causing discomfort. This is not a full denial of wrongdoing. It is an admission of poor judgment paired with a legal defense. Many readers will see that as more of the same from officials who police words but dodge real accountability.
What the lawsuit alleges against the mayor
Police Chief Axel Henry sued the mayor in Ramsey County Court. He alleged explicit sexual comments, under-the-table thigh touching, and sexual noises at a city gym, as well as retaliation after he complained. These are detailed and serious claims. Some alleged acts are backed only by the lawsuit for now, not by a public independent finding. That makes the civil case key. Discovery, depositions, and records could firm up or weaken those claims as facts come out in court.
Reporting says the city’s outside law firm interviewed the mayor, the chief, and several other people, and reviewed a large trove of messages from city and personal phones. Accounts describe more than fifty-five thousand text messages reviewed during the probe. That volume signals seriousness and a documentary trail. Yet the final result still drew a line between “inappropriate” and “harassment.” For many workers, that feels like a loophole. For the mayor’s defense, it is the core shield.
How the mayor responds and what remains disputed
Mayor Her denies sexual harassment, says she fully cooperated, and argues that some texts were failed attempts at humor. She has said she might have touched the chief’s leg but not in a sexual way, and that staff are often physically affectionate with her. She plans to continue leading the city during litigation. Those points show an intent to ride out the storm. They also leave residents stuck between clashing stories while city work and policing still need steady leadership.
The difference between “unprofessional” and “illegal” is not just semantics. Employment law often requires severe or pervasive conduct to meet the harassment standard. Retaliation claims need evidence that an adverse action followed a protected complaint for that reason. Federal guidance has held that even workers who answer questions in an internal probe can be protected from retaliation, which is why the chief’s retaliation claims will get close attention in court.
Why this matters beyond St. Paul
City halls and police departments nationwide face similar disputes. Leaders preach standards yet excuse lapses as jokes or informality. That double standard feeds a shared belief on the right and left that the rules protect the powerful, not the public. When an official admits crossing lines but keeps the job, many see a system built to defend insiders. Trust drops, and basic tasks like public safety and budgeting get harder to do well.
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
Residents deserve clear next steps. The court case should move to depositions and document releases that test each claim. The city should commit to tightened conduct rules, training for all senior staff, and transparent discipline when lines are crossed. Taxpayers fund this government. They should not have to decode legal hair-splitting to know if leaders meet workplace standards. Facts, records, and open processes can start to repair the damage.
Sources:
pjmedia.com, twincities.com, cbsnews.com, foxnews.com, startribune.com, sahanjournal.com
