St. Paul city government is facing a sensitive internal investigation after a formal sexual harassment complaint was filed against Mayor Kaohly Her by Police Chief Axel Henry, according to reporting and documents reviewed by local media.
What was filed and who is involved
The complaint, a document addressed to the city attorney and dated April 1, alleges that the mayor made inappropriate sexual comments toward the police chief and other city employees. The document says potential litigation is foreseeable and asks city officials to take steps to preserve evidence, including a full filesystem extraction of the mayor’s phones.
“Chief Henry just closed a triple-homicide case in under four hours. He’s got a city to keep safe and has no comment on this.”
The quoted statement is from Attorney Chris Madel, who is representing Chief Henry. Madel also called on the city attorney to pursue a full forensic review of the mayor’s mobile devices as part of the investigatory process.
City response and confidentiality
A spokesperson for the mayor’s office provided a limited response, emphasizing the confidentiality of an ongoing investigation. The office said, in part, that the mayor “has deep respect for city employees and regrets any unintended impact her actions may have had.” The statement also noted the city will not comment on an active investigation to protect both confidentiality and the integrity of the process.
Investigative steps and current posture
Local reporting indicates that Chief Henry has participated in extensive interviews with investigators on at least two occasions. Beyond that, the city attorney’s office will be central to deciding what additional steps are taken, including whether to pursue the filesystem extraction requested in the complaint.
The case raises immediate questions for city operations. The police chief remains the top public safety official for St. Paul; public trust in both law enforcement leadership and municipal administration is a high priority for residents and elected officials alike. How the city handles the investigation — including transparency about procedures and timelines while respecting privacy rules — will shape public confidence.
- Allegation: Inappropriate sexual comments toward the police chief and other employees.
- Action requested: Full filesystem extraction of the mayor’s phones.
- Status: Investigation underway; Chief Henry interviewed at least twice.
Context and local implications
St. Paul residents may see fallout in multiple ways. Internally, the mayor’s office and St. Paul Police Department will need to maintain day-to-day services while the inquiry proceeds. Politically, the complaint could prompt responses from the City Council, community groups and labor representatives, particularly those focused on workplace safety and civil rights.
For neighborhoods already concerned about public safety, continuity of leadership at the police department is essential. The complaint and the call for forensic preservation of evidence add a technical layer to what might otherwise be a personnel dispute. Decisions by the city attorney about evidence collection and investigators’ findings will determine whether the matter becomes a legal case, an internal personnel matter, or both.
What to expect next
At this stage the city is limiting public comments to protect the investigatory process. Residents seeking updates should watch for statements from the city attorney’s office, official releases from the mayor’s office, and any communications from the police department. If litigation becomes likely, public court filings would add additional information to the public record.
This story touches on workplace conduct at the highest levels of St. Paul government. As the inquiry proceeds, questions about transparency, accountability and the safety of city workplaces will remain central to community discussion.
