St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Under Investigation for Sexual Harassment Claims

The investigation into St. Paul’s recently elected mayor broke into public view as city officials confirmed the hiring of a law firm to examine the allegations. According to reporting from the Star Tribune and 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Police Chief Axel Henry notified the city in April that he had filed a formal complaint detailing the claims against Mayor Kaohly Her.

Police Chief Axel Henry’s Formal Complaint and Text Message Allegations

The formal complaint document was addressed to the city attorney, is dated April 1, and states that litigation is ‘reasonably foreseeable.’ Chief Henry has participated in extensive interviews with investigators on at least two occasions regarding the matter.

Documents obtained by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS outline accusations that the mayor used one or more mobile phones to communicate inappropriate, and, indeed, unlawful text messages. The complaint includes what appears to be a screenshot of a message saying, Happy Weiner Wednesday! Wish I was having a (hotdog emoji) with you all on 6 today! A redacted picture is then included with a statement message saying, When she wraps you up in her blanket after you gave her a good weinering, with laughing emojis.

According to the letter to the city attorney, these instances go beyond isolated incidents and extend to other city employees and police officers. The document adds that Henry came forward as the formal complainant over concerns that, without doing so, the behavior will continue unchecked and may expose others to retaliation for speaking out.

Legal Representation and City Hall Response

“Chief Henry just closed a triple-homicide case in under four hours. He’s got a city to keep safe and has no comment on this.”

Chris Madel, Attorney for Chief Henry

In the letter, Madel calls on the city attorney to take all steps necessary to perform a full filesystem extraction of Her’s phones.

“To protect confidentiality and the integrity of the process, the City will not comment on an active investigation. The mayor has deep respect for city employees and regrets any unintended impact her actions may have had.”

Matt Wagenius, Spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office

Beyond that statement, the mayor’s office and Her’s office declined to comment further on the issue. MPR News noted that Mayor Her’s office declined further comment, and 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS reached out to every St. Paul City Council member for comment but has not heard back.

St. Paul Leadership Context and Union Reaction

The sexual harassment investigation arrives as the administration navigates multiple regional challenges. Her made history as the first woman and first Hmong American to become mayor of St. Paul less than 7 months ago. Recently, she’s been in the spotlight for St. Paul’s budget problems and plans to clear homeless encampments. Mark Ross, the president of the St. Paul Police Federation, also sent a comment regarding the situation.

“Our obligation is to our membership and the focus of the Federation will remain on supporting the rank-and-file members who are out in the community risking their lives everyday. I am not in a position to elaborate further on this situation, but I do want the community to rest assured that our focus is on serving them with the commitment, class, and integrity that they’ve come to expect and deserve.”

Mark Ross, President of the St. Paul Police Federation