ST. PAUL — St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed a 73-page lawsuit Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court against Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging sexual harassment, unwanted touching and retaliation, according to CBS News Minnesota.
The suit names six counts, including alleged violations of the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, the Minnesota Whistleblower Act and the Minnesota Human Rights Act against the city, along with aiding-and-abetting and common-law battery claims against Her individually.
The filing comes less than a week after Her’s office released a summary of an outside investigation finding that sexual harassment and retaliation claims against her were “unsubstantiated,” though the review did find she engaged in “offensive and inappropriate behavior.”
Henry first raised the allegations in April through his attorney, Chris Madel, prompting the city to hire an outside law firm to investigate.
According to the lawsuit, Her placed her hand on Henry’s upper thigh without consent during a March 18 budget meeting, doing so twice, with the second touch prompting him to push back from the table. Assistant Chief Paul Ford allegedly witnessed the contact. The suit also alleges Her repeatedly told Henry her marriage was in trouble, made sexualized comments toward him and, in February, had a department driver take her to a Woodbury golf simulator where Henry was spending off-duty time. “You guys wouldn’t invite me,” Her told him.
The lawsuit further alleges Her altered personal photographs in Henry’s office, replacing officers’ faces with bodybuilders and boy band members, and claims she retaliated against Henry by raising pay for other police command staff while excluding him.
A spokesperson for Her, Matt Wagenius, said the independent investigation “did not substantiate claims of sexual harassment or retaliation against any city employee” and that the mayor “will continue to lead Saint Paul.” The city declined further comment, citing active litigation.
Henry is seeking damages exceeding $50,000 on each of the six counts and has demanded a jury trial. Following the summary’s release, St. Paul police confirmed the mayor is no longer using department officers for her security detail; the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office has taken over that role.
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