Full Breakdown
St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor Over Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Police Chief Axel Henry filed a 73-page civil complaint in Ramsey County District Court alleging that Mayor Kaohly Her sexually harassed him and retaliated after he reported the conduct. The suit names both the mayor and the City of St. Paul as defendants and seeks a jury trial on six counts, including violations of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the Whistleblower Act, the Human Rights Act, aiding-and-abetting, and common-law battery. Allegations include altered photographs, vulgar comments, and two instances of the mayor placing her hand on Henry’s upper thigh during a March budget meeting. The complaint also demands the release of the full investigative report, which the city has released only as a two-page summary.
Background & Context
Earlier this month, the city’s human-resources office released a summary of an independent workplace investigation. The summary concluded that Mayor Her’s conduct was “offensive and inappropriate” and created an “uncomfortable work environment,” but it found the sexual-harassment and retaliation claims “unsubstantiated.” Mayor Her apologized for “crossing lines” and said she would continue to lead the city. Henry’s lawsuit argues the summary is a “sanitized” version of a fuller report that the city is withholding under the Data Practices Act.
Timeline
- Late 2025 – Alleged start of the mayor’s conduct.
- March 26 – Henry filed a formal harassment complaint with city officials.
- March 18 – Budget-meeting incident in which the mayor allegedly touched Henry’s thigh twice.
- September 23, 2026 – Henry’s lawsuit was filed in Ramsey County District Court.
Data & Statistics
- Complaint length: 73 pages.
- Claims: six statutory and tort counts.
- Potential trial length: approximately 18 months if the case proceeds to a jury, according to attorney Marshall Tanick.
- Settlement likelihood: Tanick estimates a high likelihood of settlement before trial.
Official Statements & Responses
- The city spokesperson said it “doesn’t comment on active litigation.”
- City Human-Resources Director Kamaria Kassim, who authored the summary, described the mayor’s behavior as “offensive and inappropriate” but noted no finding of sexual harassment.
- Henry’s attorney Chris Madel said the lawsuit is intended to force disclosure of the full investigative record and to prove the allegations in court.
Criticism & Opposition
Attorney Madel criticized the city’s handling of the investigation and the media’s coverage, calling the summary a “whitewash.” He suggested the mayor’s office may have used a public-relations firm to discredit the chief.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- The city’s summary states no evidence supports the harassment or retaliation claims, while the lawsuit lists multiple specific incidents and asserts that at least five witnesses heard the mayor make “orgasm-like” noises in the police gym—an allegation the investigators did not document.
- The full investigative report has not been released; the mayor’s office argues it may contain confidential material protected by the Data Practices Act, whereas Henry’s team says the report is essential for public accountability.
What’s Next
Legal experts expect the case to move through the Ramsey County District Court over the next 12-18 months, with the city likely to subpoena the full investigative report. The mayor’s office has indicated it will resist disclosure, citing confidentiality under the Data Practices Act. Both sides see settlement as a strong possibility before a jury trial begins.