St. Paul Police Chief Sues Mayor Kaohly Her Over Sexual Harassment and Retaliation Claims

The legal action arrives just days after an independent outside investigation, commissioned by the city and released by the St. Paul Human Resources department, concluded that Mayor Her engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior.” However, that separate probe did not legally substantiate Henry’s specific claims of sexual harassment or retaliation. Following the filing of the lawsuit, Mayor Her’s office announced that Ramsey County deputies would take over her security detail, replacing St. Paul police officers who previously guarded her.

Allegations at Public Events and Official Functions

According to the lawsuit filed in Ramsey County District Court by attorney Christopher Madel, the alleged harassment began during Mayor Her’s first months in office and extended into official public ceremonies. At a Police Academy graduation on February 19, 2026, Her allegedly approached Chief Henry and Deputy Chief Tim Flynn. The filing claims Her asked the police chief, “Why is Tim’s bigger?” accompanied by a facial expression intended as a sexual innuendo regarding penis size. When Henry questioned the remark, Her allegedly pointed toward the ribbon bars on their uniforms.

During the same conversation, Her allegedly asked Henry what his “MFF” ribbon stood for. When Henry answered that it stood for “Mobile Field Force,” Her allegedly remarked, “Oh, I thought it said MILF so maybe I could get one,” as reported in court documents. The lawsuit also details two separate budget meetings where Her allegedly placed her hand on Henry’s upper thigh beneath a conference-room table.

Gym Encounters and Altered Staff Photographs

The complaint outlines additional inappropriate conduct occurring at the St. Paul police department gym beginning in late 2025. Henry alleges that the mayor frequently visited the gym while he was working out, making exaggerated grunting and moaning sounds that simulated an orgasm. At least four officers witnessed this behavior, according to court filings, during which Her also reportedly called certain officers “beefy.”

In early 2026, the mayor allegedly created and distributed a series of altered images placing the faces of police leaders onto the bodies of boy bands, UFC fighters, and bodybuilders featuring prominent bulges in their compression shorts. The lawsuit states that Her printed and framed these pictures, hanging them in hallways where both sworn personnel and civilians could view them. Henry’s long-time partner and other department members found the images offensive and completely unprofessional.

Retaliation Claims and Independent Investigation Findings

Chief Henry reported the mayor’s conduct in March, fully aware of the professional and personal fallout such an accusation against a sitting mayor would carry. Rather than facing internal accountability, Henry claims in the suit that Her’s administration launched a paid media campaign through an external public relations firm to discredit him and attack his motives. The lawsuit also asserts that city officials withheld requested public records and excluded the chief from key personnel decisions.

The city-commissioned independent investigation evaluated these complaints and recommended workplace conduct training alongside an executive coach for the mayor. In a public statement issued after the report’s release, Her’s office emphasized that the independent inquiry found claims of sexual harassment and retaliation unsubstantiated, adding that she would continue leading the city and following the report’s directives. The allegations contained in Chief Henry’s lawsuit have not yet been proven in court.