St. Paul police chief files lawsuit accusing Mayor Kaohly Her of sexual harassment and retaliation
Police Chief Axel Henry has sued Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging sexual harassment, altered photographs and retaliation after he reported the conduct.
Chief Axel Henry of the St. Paul Police Department has brought a lawsuit against Mayor Kaohly Her and the city, alleging a pattern of sexual harassment and subsequent retaliation. The complaint details incidents such as the mayor’s hand on Henry’s upper thigh during a March 18 budget meeting, vulgar remarks about an "MFF" ribbon, and a series of altered photographs portraying officers as bodybuilders, UFC fighters and a boy band, which she allegedly placed in Henry’s office.
Henry also claims the mayor pursued a personal relationship, offering rides after a THC-infused drinks dinner and repeatedly pressuring him to choose between friendship and resignation. After Henry filed a formal harassment complaint on March 26, he says the city publicly disputed his allegations, excluded him from decisions and tried to discredit him through media. The lawsuit, filed by attorney Chris Madel, requests a jury trial, damages, attorney’s fees and the full release of the city’s investigative report.
Why it matters
The case highlights alleged abuse of power by a city mayor and raises concerns about workplace harassment and retaliation in local government.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTCenter coverage simply reports the filing of the lawsuit and lists the chief’s broad allegations, while right-leaning coverage adds vivid, sensational details of the alleged incidents and stresses the mayor’s personal misconduct.
CENTER
Center coverage reports the lawsuit and enumerates the chief’s claims without additional commentary.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage highlights lurid specifics of the alleged harassment and portrays the mayor’s behavior as personal misconduct.
The right emphasises
- mayor’s hand on the chief’s upper thigh during a budget meeting
- vulgar remarks about an "MFF" ribbon and altered photographs placed in the chief’s office
- offers of rides after a THC-infused drinks dinner and pressure to choose between friendship and resignation
Possibly left out
- Centrist coverage reports only the lawsuit allegations, absent from right-leaning coverage's detailed incident descriptions
In this story
