A city human-resources summary says “offensive and inappropriate” behavior occurred, yet the police chief’s 73-page lawsuit alleges sexual harassment and retaliation by the mayor.
Story Highlights
- Police Chief Axel Henry sued Mayor Kaohly Her and the City of St. Paul, seeking a jury trial.
- The complaint alleges explicit comments, unwanted touching, and a retaliation campaign after he reported it.
- A city human-resources summary found “offensive and inappropriate” behavior but did not substantiate harassment or retaliation.
- The mayor says she will stay in office and follow the report’s action steps while denying the core claims.
What The Lawsuit Says Happened
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a civil lawsuit in Ramsey County District Court against Mayor Kaohly Her and the city. The complaint describes months of explicit comments and two incidents of unwanted touching during a budget meeting. The suit says the mayor called herself a “MILF,” made sexualized remarks, and then punished Henry after he reported her behavior. The filing requests a jury trial and damages across several counts, including harassment, battery, and retaliation.
News coverage summarizes the complaint as alleging the mayor placed her hand on Henry’s upper thigh beneath a table and pursued an intimate relationship. Reporting also says the suit claims a campaign of retaliation after Henry raised concerns. Outlets describe the filing as seventy-plus pages, naming both the mayor and the city as defendants. These specifics frame a sharp, testable set of claims that will now move into discovery and, potentially, a public trial record.
What The City’s Investigation Found
Five days before the lawsuit, the city released a human-resources summary of an outside review. That summary said Mayor Her engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior” and created an uncomfortable workplace. It also said investigators did not substantiate sexual harassment or retaliation. Mayor Her responded that she became “too informal,” crossed lines with workplace standards, and would follow the recommended action steps. She added she was grateful the most serious claims were unsubstantiated.
The mayor’s office and spokesperson have echoed those findings in public statements. They say an independent investigation did not substantiate harassment or retaliation against any city employee and that the mayor will continue to lead St. Paul while following the report’s recommendations. City officials declined to comment on active litigation beyond pointing to the public summary. These statements set the city’s official position ahead of any court rulings.
Why This Clash Now Moves To Court
The city’s human-resources review and a civil lawsuit play different roles. An internal review can guide workplace steps, but it is limited to what the employer chooses to gather and share. A civil lawsuit opens depositions, device records, and sworn testimony. That process can test whether internal steps were enough or missed key facts. In short, “unsubstantiated” in a summary is not the same as “resolved” under oath in court filings and a jury’s judgment.
Employment law also separates harassment from retaliation. Courts have allowed retaliation claims to proceed even when bias is not proven, if the worker plausibly faced material harm for speaking up. That is why Henry’s filing pairs the conduct allegations with claims that city leaders undercut him after he reported it. The legal fight will likely center on records, timelines, and whether any adverse actions followed his protected complaint.
What It Means For Public Trust And Accountability
St. Paul residents now face two messages: a city summary that faults the mayor’s behavior but clears her on harassment and retaliation, and a detailed lawsuit from the city’s top cop alleging the opposite. Public trust depends on transparent facts, not spin. Discovery should reveal who said what, when, and with what proof. Clear answers matter for workplace safety, rule of law, and confidence in leaders who control police budgets and public safety priorities.
St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry has filed a 73-page lawsuit against Mayor Kaohly Her, alleging she called herself a "MILF," made sexual comments about his body, touched his thigh under a table, and retaliated after he complained.
— LetMeKnow News (@LetMeKnowNews1) September 26, 2026
For readers who value limited government and equal justice, the stakes are simple. Standards cannot shift based on politics or identity. If the mayor crossed legal lines, there must be accountability. If the claims fail in court, the city must show it handled complaints fairly and without revenge. Either way, the Constitution and basic due process demand a serious, fact-driven review—one that protects whistleblowers, respects the presumption of innocence, and restores order inside city hall.
Sources:
nytimes.com, cbsnews.com, kstp.com, stpaul.gov, mprnews.org, courthousenews.com
