MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her Faces Expanding Workplace Misconduct Investigation

Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is under an independent workplace investigation after Police Chief Axel Henry filed a sexual-harassment complaint concerning alleged communications and conduct involving city employees. A second senior police official has since raised separate allegations. Her has expressed regret for any interactions interpreted differently than she intended and said she will cooperate with the investigation. The allegations have not been proven.

SAINT PAUL, MN (August 5, 2026)

Saint Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is facing an independent workplace investigation following formal allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct involving city employees, including members of the Saint Paul Police Department.

The investigation began after Police Chief Axel Henry submitted a complaint concerning communications and behavior he believed affected employees under his command. A second senior police official has subsequently made separate allegations, expanding the matter beyond the concerns initially raised by Henry.

The allegations have not been proven, and the investigation remains underway. No final determination has been announced by the city or the outside law firm conducting the review.

Complaint Leads to Independent Review

Henry’s complaint described text messages and workplace interactions that he considered inappropriate. It reportedly raised broader concerns about the effect of the mayor’s alleged conduct on city employees and the professional environment within municipal government.

A second senior police official later raised separate concerns about remarks and interactions attributed to Her. Those allegations are also unresolved and remain subject to the independent investigation.

Her has acknowledged that some of her attempts at humor may have been inappropriate or interpreted differently than she intended. She has expressed regret for any harm caused and said she intends to cooperate with the investigation.

The mayor’s office has otherwise limited its public comments, citing the need to allow the review to proceed.

Investigation Comes Early in Her Administration

Her took office in January after becoming the first woman and first Asian American elected mayor of Saint Paul. She previously represented portions of the city in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

The investigation therefore arrives early in an administration that is managing difficult issues involving homelessness, housing, public safety, immigration enforcement and the city’s relationship with state and county partners.

Questions about internal relationships intensified following a recent virtual meeting concerning Saint Paul’s homelessness response and planned encampment closures.

Axios Twin Cities reported that the meeting became contentious and left participating legislators and local officials concerned about future cooperation. Her’s office said her remarks should be understood within the context of difficult policy discussions over public safety, homelessness and encampment conditions.

The workplace investigation and the encampment-policy disagreement are separate matters. Together, however, they have increased scrutiny of communication and working relationships between the mayor’s office, police leadership, legislators and other government partners.

Due Process Remains Essential

An independent workplace investigation is intended to determine whether applicable city policies were violated. Until that process is completed, the accusations remain allegations, and Her is entitled to review and respond to the evidence assembled by investigators.

The employees who raised the concerns are also entitled to have their complaints evaluated without retaliation or premature dismissal.

The eventual findings could have consequences extending beyond the conduct of a single elected official. City employees must be able to report workplace concerns safely, while investigative procedures must protect confidentiality, fairness and due process for everyone involved.

MinneapoliMedia will continue following the investigation and will report any findings, disciplinary recommendations or official responses when they become available.

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