MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | St. Paul Police Chief Files Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Mayor Kaohly Her

ST. PAUL, MN (July 29, 2026). St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is under investigation following a formal complaint from Police Chief Axel Henry alleging that she directed inappropriate sexual communications and other conduct toward him and additional city employees.

The allegations have not been proven, and no formal findings have been released.

The city retained Resolute Law, a St. Cloud-based firm, in early April to conduct an independent investigation, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. The investigation remained active as of Tuesday, July 28.

The complaint became public after news organizations obtained an April 1 letter sent by Henry’s attorney, Chris Madel, to St. Paul City Attorney Irene Kao. The letter said Henry decided to become a formal complainant after learning that the mayor’s alleged conduct extended beyond isolated incidents and involved subordinate employees, including members of the St. Paul Police Department.

The letter alleges that Her used one or more mobile phones to transmit inappropriate messages. It also asked the city to preserve and extract information from the mayor’s phones because litigation was considered reasonably foreseeable.

One message included in the complaint used sexual innuendo connected to what employees reportedly called “Wiener Wednesday,” an informal occasion when hot dogs were brought to a small group of city workers. The complaint characterizes that message and accompanying image as inappropriate.

The Minnesota Star Tribune reported, based on an unnamed person familiar with the investigation, that the inquiry also involves allegations of unwanted physical contact and sexualized communications directed at Henry. MinneapoliMedia has not independently confirmed those additional allegations.

Henry has participated in at least two extensive interviews with investigators, KSTP reported. Witnesses involved in the investigation have reportedly been instructed not to discuss the matter publicly.

Madel declined to provide further details about the chief’s allegations. In a statement, he said Henry remained focused on overseeing public safety in St. Paul.

The mayor’s office issued a statement acknowledging the investigation but did not address the specific accusations.

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

That statement should not be interpreted as an admission that the allegations are true. Her has not been charged with a crime, and the outside investigation has not issued a public conclusion.

Mark Ross, president of the St. Paul Police Federation, said the union’s focus would remain on supporting its members and serving the community. He declined to elaborate on the complaint.

Her took office January 2 after defeating two-term Mayor Melvin Carter in the 2025 election. She became the first woman and first Asian American elected mayor of St. Paul.

Henry has led the St. Paul Police Department since November 2022. He joined the department in 1998 after serving with the Roseville Police Department and became St. Paul’s 42nd police chief.

The allegations place two of St. Paul’s most prominent public officials at the center of a workplace investigation during a difficult period for the city. Her’s administration is preparing a budget proposal to address a projected $26 million gap, while police spending and overtime have already produced friction between city officials and the department.

The appropriate next step is the completion of an independent investigation that provides due process to everyone involved. Until findings are released, the accusations remain allegations and should be reported as such.

Sources: KSTP; Minnesota Star Tribune; City of St. Paul Police Department