St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor

yellow crime scene tape with blurred police lights — Photo: Fer Gregory / Shutterstock

A city’s top cop suing his own mayor for sexual harassment after an internal probe called her conduct “offensive” but not unlawful signals a system more focused on shielding itself than on fixing the problem.

Story Snapshot

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a civil lawsuit alleging sexual harassment and retaliation by Mayor Kaohly Her.
An earlier city investigation said the mayor’s behavior was “offensive and inappropriate” but did not substantiate harassment or retaliation.
The mayor says she will keep leading, will follow recommendations, and denies the lawsuit’s major claims.
The case now shifts to court, where depositions and records could test the city’s internal findings.

What Happened: Chief Sues, City Pushes Back

On Wednesday, St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry sued Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging months of sexual harassment and a campaign of retaliation after he reported it. The 73-page civil complaint was filed in Ramsey County District Court and seeks a jury trial and damages across several claims. The filing came five days after the city released a summary of its investigation that criticized the mayor’s conduct, but said the most serious allegations were not proven.

The city’s 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 claims. The mayor acknowledged she became “too informal” and crossed lines with workplace policy, but she said the findings cleared her of harassment and retaliation. She pledged to follow the recommended steps and continue leading the city.

The Allegations and the Official Findings

Henry’s lawsuit outlines explicit comments and unwanted touching, and asserts that city leaders then took steps against him after his report. Media accounts highlight that he describes a pattern over months and specific incidents tied to city business settings. The city’s public response has been direct. A spokesperson stated that an independent investigation did not substantiate harassment or retaliation against any employee, and declined further comment due to active litigation.

The timing adds tension. The suit followed the city’s release of a two-page summary, not the full report, which concluded that some conduct was inappropriate yet short of policy-defined harassment. That gap between behavior the city admits was wrong and conduct it labels unlawful is common in government workplaces, where internal reviews control early evidence and shape the first public record.

Why This Matters Beyond St. Paul

This dispute shows how power, policy, and process collide inside government offices. Internal investigations are designed to be fast and neutral, but employers often hold the documents, devices, and access. Civil lawsuits can pry those loose through depositions and discovery, which may reveal details not in public summaries. That is why an “unsubstantiated” finding can be a midpoint, not an endpoint, in a harassment and retaliation fight.

Across the country, people on the left and right see a pattern: leaders break workplace norms while the system protects itself. When a city admits “offensive” conduct yet says “no harassment,” trust breaks down. Residents ask whether rules apply the same way to everyone. This case will test whether court scrutiny confirms the city’s summary or exposes deeper problems inside City Hall.

What Comes Next: From HR to Courtroom

Now the forum changes. A judge will set schedules. Lawyers will seek emails, texts, calendar entries, and witness statements. Depositions under oath can clarify who knew what, when they knew it, and how they acted afterward. Legal experts say this phase could outlast the internal review and drive new public records fights over what must be released to citizens and media.

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 St. Paul, the practical stakes are high. The police department needs stable leadership. City employees need clear standards and real consequences. Taxpayers may face legal costs and possible payouts. For many Americans, the bigger question is simple: will this process deliver truth and accountability, or will it become another closed-door exercise that leaves citizens paying the bill without real change?