St. Paul police chief sues mayor over harassment claims

St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry has sued Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation after he reported her conduct. The lawsuit seeks damages, a jury trial and the release of the full city investigation report, which has not been made public. The allegations have not been tested in court. The complaint alleges that Her touched Henry’s upper thigh twice beneath a table during a March 18 budget meeting, with the second contact extending toward his groin. It says Henry moved away and that Assistant Chief Paul Ford later told him he had witnessed the contact. That account of Ford’s reported observation comes from the complaint and has not been independently established in the available reporting. Henry’s lawsuit also alleges a pattern of sexually suggestive comments and conduct involving him and other police employees. It describes altered photographs of officers, unwanted personal attention and remarks at work events. These accounts are allegations in the complaint; the filing itself does not establish that they occurred.