Former St. Paul police official alleges Mayor Kaohly Her made inappropriate comments
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New allegations against St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her surfaced Thursday. They come as an outside investigation continues into a complaint filed by Police Chief Axel Henry.
A former high-ranking police official told investigators that Her made comments about her breasts and engaged in other behavior the former official found inappropriate, according to a person with knowledge of the investigation.
The allegations were first reported by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The city hired an outside law firm to investigate Her after Henry filed a formal complaint. In a letter to the city attorney, Henry’s attorney, Chris Madel, included an image of an internet meme. Her allegedly altered it to make it sexually inappropriate before sending it to a subordinate.
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According to the person familiar with the investigation, a former deputy chief said Her approached her in the police department’s gym in January shortly after Her took office. The person said Her asked whether her own breasts were too large before complimenting the deputy chief’s breasts.
The former deputy chief and Her did not know each other well at the time.
Former deputy chief alleges additional behavior
The former deputy chief also told investigators that Her made what the officer described as “orgasmic noises” while working out in the police gym.
The former officer also alleged that Her altered photos displayed at police headquarters, including placing her own portrait over the faces of police command staff.
The officer said that Her taped up images of shirtless UFC fighters that had been modified with the faces of St. Paul police officers, including Henry.
The person familiar with the investigation said the deputy chief decided to retire because of the alleged behavior.
Her responds to allegations
Her’s spokesperson, Matt Wagenius, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.
Her told the Star Tribune that the way the allegations have been portrayed in the media does not reflect her understanding of what happened.
“I am disappointed that I was invited and brought into their space and culture and now this is the outcome,” Her said, according to the Star Tribune. “As I stated yesterday, I respect the investigative process and believe it is important to allow it to reach its conclusion.”
Her previously said that she recognized that “some of my attempts at humor fell short of the standard I expect of myself.”
Her appeared Wednesday at a lunch event for the Rice and Larpenteur Alliance. A Pioneer Press reporter asked how she would continue working on city priorities, including next year’s budget and plans to clear a large homeless encampment, amid the allegations.
“It doesn’t change; the work always continues,” Her said.
