Female Mayor Accused of Sexual Harassment

Police cars with lights on near school buses on a city street — Photo: TFoxFoto / Shutterstock

A city-paid probe said the mayor’s conduct was “offensive and inappropriate,” yet she remains in charge while her police chief sues.

Story Snapshot

An outside investigation found policy violations and an “uncomfortable” workplace, but not legal harassment.
Police Chief Axel Henry’s lawsuit details crude comments and unwanted touching by Mayor Kaohly Her.
The city reviewed interviews and tens of thousands of texts during the probe.
Mayor Her denies harassment and says she crossed lines in informal communications.

What the Lawsuit Claims and Why It Matters

Police Chief Axel Henry filed a lawsuit in Ramsey County in September. He says Mayor Kaohly Her made sexual comments, touched his thigh under a table, and made sexual noises in a gym. He also claims retaliation after he raised concerns. The complaint quotes crude phrases and names a witness to one event. These are allegations, not proven facts. But they come from a sworn filing by the city’s top cop, which raises public trust stakes for city hall and police leadership.

The case lands as residents already doubt whether leaders live by the rules they set for others. When the police chief accuses the mayor, many people see a system that protects insiders first. That worry shows up across party lines. People on the right see double standards. People on the left see power shielding power. The core question is simple: do the rules on workplace conduct apply the same way to the boss as to the rank and file?

What the City’s Investigation Found

The city hired an outside law firm to investigate the claims. The full report, about 73 pages, says Mayor Her engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior” and created an “uncomfortable work environment.” It did not substantiate sexual harassment or retaliation under city policy. The firm interviewed Her, Henry, and others, and reviewed more than 55,000 text messages from Her’s city and personal phones, according to coverage of the findings.

Mayor Her’s office said she cooperated fully. She denied harassment, but admitted she became too informal and crossed lines, and she apologized for the discomfort. Her spokesperson also said the city would not comment further due to active litigation. The mayor has indicated she will continue to lead while the lawsuit moves forward. These statements frame the issue as boundary lapses, not unlawful conduct.

Where the Two Sides Clash

The biggest gap is the legal label. Henry alleges sexual harassment and retaliation. The city’s review says the conduct was wrong, but not harassment as defined by policy. That split is common in public employment disputes. Investigations can find unprofessional behavior without meeting strict legal standards. Still, policy violations matter. They show lines were crossed that the city itself set for basic respect and professionalism.

Specific claims also differ. Henry says the mayor touched his thigh under a table and commented on his body. Her disputed the sexual intent and said any touch was not sexual. She described some texts as humor that missed the mark. Those facts will likely be tested in court, where witnesses, texts, and timelines can be examined under oath. Until then, the public sees clashing accounts and a documented finding of inappropriate behavior.

Why This Resonates Beyond One City

Public workers are protected when they report possible harassment. Federal guidance says retaliation covers actions that would deter a reasonable person from speaking up. The legal bar for hostile environment is higher than for simple policy breaches, which can explain the gap between the report and the lawsuit. But the shared civic concern is broader: accountability should not depend on job title or political power.

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 want clear standards, timely transparency, and equal treatment. A practical path forward is simple. The city should release as much of the investigative record as the law allows. The court should fast-track discovery on the most disputed claims. Both steps would serve the public, not just the parties. If leaders expect trust from citizens, they need to show that facts, not status, decide outcomes in misconduct cases.