St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor Her: Sexual Harassment, Retaliation

• St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry has filed a lawsuit against Mayor Kaohly Her and the City of St. Paul.
• The suit alleges Mayor Her sexually harassed Chief Henry and the city retaliated after he reported the conduct.
• Allegations include sexual innuendos, doctored photos, unwanted physical contact, and inappropriate comments by the Mayor.
• An internal city investigation found Mayor Her engaged in "offensive and inappropriate behavior" but did not substantiate sexual harassment or retaliation claims.
• Chief Henry claims the city's investigation was selective and that he faced retaliation, including exclusion from decisions and withheld records.

Sexual harassment is wrong regardless of who commits it; it does not become acceptable because the alleged harasser is a woman, because the target is a man, or because the alleged harasser happens to be the Mayor.

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry has initiated legal action against Mayor Kaohly Her and the City of St. Paul, alleging a pattern of sexual harassment by the mayor and subsequent retaliation by city officials after he reported the conduct. The lawsuit, filed recently in Ramsey County District Court, outlines a series of escalating tensions that began with internal complaints concerning Mayor Her’s workplace behavior. These complaints ultimately led to an independent investigation into the mayor's actions.

According to the complaint, Mayor Her's alleged sexual harassment of Chief Henry commenced last winter. The chief claims this included making sexual innuendos directed at his genitalia, digitally altering photographs of him and other officers to appear sexualized, and engaging in unwanted physical contact. Specifically, the lawsuit details two instances where Mayor Her allegedly placed her hand on his upper thigh during a budget meeting without his consent.

Following these alleged incidents, Chief Henry reported Mayor Her for sexual harassment in March, a decision he understood carried significant professional and personal risks. However, instead of accountability for the alleged misconduct, Henry contends that Mayor Her's administration and other city officials launched a campaign of retaliation. This alleged retaliation involved excluding him from personnel-related decisions, withholding records he requested under the data practices act, and publicly releasing a summary of the city's investigation that he claims "falsely minimized" the reported conduct.

The comprehensive lawsuit filed by Chief Henry in Ramsey County District Court brings forth multiple serious allegations against Mayor Her and the City of St. Paul. Against Mayor Her personally, the claims include sexual harassment and battery. The city and Her's administration face accusations of whistleblower retaliation, violations of data practices, and state human rights violations. The alleged harassment detailed in the complaint paints a picture of persistent inappropriate behavior, including the creation of doctored images depicting Henry and other officers as bodybuilders with "prominent bulges" in the crotch area, alongside other images portraying them as boy band members or UFC fighters.

Further allegations describe Mayor Her frequently visiting the St. Paul Police Department gym when Chief Henry and other officers were working out, where she would reportedly make "noises simulating an orgasm" nearby. She is also accused of making inappropriate comments to the officers, such as referring to them as "beefy." These actions, according to Henry, prompted his formal complaint.

An internal investigation, conducted by St. Paul’s Human Resources department and released last week, acknowledged that Mayor Her engaged in "offensive and inappropriate behavior." However, the investigation concluded that it did not substantiate the claims of sexual harassment or retaliation. In response to the investigation's findings, Mayor Her issued a statement expressing her "gratification" that these specific claims were not substantiated, affirming her commitment to comply with all recommended actions and her full cooperation with the independent inquiry. Chief Henry, however, disputes the impartiality of this investigation, asserting that the city has refused to provide the full report, instead selectively disclosing information favorable to the mayor while withholding potentially damaging details.

Chief Henry's lawsuit underscores the critical importance of whistleblower protections, particularly when high-ranking officials are involved. His complaint highlights his awareness of the potential career jeopardy he faced by accusing the Mayor of St. Paul of sexual harassment, yet he proceeded with his report. The subsequent alleged retaliation, including his exclusion from key personnel decisions and the withholding of records under the data practices act, forms a central pillar of his legal challenge, framing the case as a St. Paul whistleblower lawsuit.

The police chief, who has led the St. Paul Police Department since 2022, has publicly stated his belief that reporting sexual harassment should not result in the reporter becoming a target of retaliation. His legal filing includes a powerful statement emphasizing that "Sexual harassment is wrong regardless of who commits it; it does not become acceptable because the alleged harasser is a woman, because the target is a man, or because the alleged harasser happens to be the Mayor." This Axel Henry sexual harassment lawsuit, with its accompanying Mayor Kaohly Her retaliation claims, brings to the forefront questions about accountability and transparency within municipal governance, especially concerning St. Paul police chief data practices and potential Minnesota human rights violations. The proceedings in Ramsey County District Court sexual harassment case will likely scrutinize the city's internal investigation processes and its adherence to anti-retaliation policies.

This case highlights the complexities of workplace harassment and whistleblower retaliation claims, particularly when involving high-ranking officials and allegations of an insufficient internal investigation. Lawyers and compliance officers should review their internal investigation protocols, data practices transparency, and anti-retaliation policies, especially concerning complaints against powerful individuals, to mitigate legal exposure and ensure fair process.

Source: Original reporting via CN