Key facts
- St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is reportedly under investigation for sexual harassment.
- The investigation follows a complaint filed by Police Chief Axel Henry.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is reportedly under investigation for sexual harassment following a complaint filed by the city's police chief. An outside law firm has been contracted to conduct an independent inquiry into allegations of inappropriate messages sent to employees.
The investigation into Mayor Kaohly Her raises significant questions about leadership conduct and workplace standards within St. Paul's city government, potentially impacting public trust and the administration's ability to govern effectively.
St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is reportedly the subject of a sexual harassment investigation, initiated after a complaint was filed by the city's police chief, Axel Henry. City leaders have engaged an external law firm to conduct an independent inquiry into the allegations.
According to a letter obtained by The New York Times and NBC News, Henry's lawyer, Chris Madel, claims Her engaged in a prolonged campaign of harassment against multiple workers, using mobile phones to send inappropriate messages. The letter states Henry decided to become a formal complainant after realizing the mayor's conduct extended beyond isolated incidents to include sexual harassment of subordinates.
One message allegedly sent by Her, described as a "Happy Weiner Wednesday" greeting accompanied by laughing emojis and a caption referencing sexual intercourse, was included in the letter. The investigation is being led by Cally Kjellberg-Nelson, an employment law expert from Resolute Law.
Mayor Her, in a statement to NBC, confirmed her cooperation with the investigation and expressed confidence that the "full facts will come to light." She acknowledged that "some of [her] attempts at humor fell short of the standard I expect of myself." A spokesperson for the mayor stated that he could not comment on the ongoing investigation but that the mayor "has deep respect for city employees and regrets any unintended impact her actions may have had."
Police Chief Henry will not be giving media interviews but intends to ensure appropriate conduct within the police department. His decision to file a formal complaint was reportedly made to protect city and police department employees from potential unchecked behavior and retaliation. Her, a former six-year member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was elected mayor in 2025, defeating incumbent Melvin Carter. She immigrated to the U.S. at age three and has been a vocal opponent of federal immigration raids.
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