Dem St Paul mayor under investigation after police chief files sexual harassment complaint over 'Weiner Wednesday' text messages

St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her is under investigation after the chief of police of the capital city filed a sexual harassment complaint alleging the mayor sent inappropriate text messages. 

A document obtained by KSTP states that St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry filed the complaint against the mayor, accusing her of making inappropriate sexual comments toward him and other city employees.

The April 1 document, addressed to the St. Paul city attorney, states that "litigation is reasonably foreseeable."

The mayor's office responded to the complaint through a spokesperson. "To protect confidentiality and the integrity of the process, the City will not comment on an active investigation," said the spokesperson. "The mayor has deep respect for city employees and regrets any unintended impact her actions may have had."

The president of the St. Paul Police Federation, Mark Ross, also commented on the ongoing investigation. "Our obligation is to our membership, and the focus of the Federation will remain on supporting the rank-and-file members who are out in the community risking their lives every day," he said to KTSP. "I am not in a position to elaborate further on this situation, but I do want the community to rest assured that our focus is on serving them with the commitment, class, and integrity that they've come to expect and deserve."

The letter claims that Her used mobile phones to communicate intimate messages. The letter includes a screenshot of one saying: "Happy Weiner Wednesday! Wish I was having a (hotdog emoji) with you all on 6 today!" Another message stated, "When she wraps you up in her blanket after you gave her a good weinering," which included laughing emojis and a redacted photo.

The complaint said the messages went "beyond isolated incidents," and that Henry came forward over concerns that if he did not, "the behavior will continue unchecked and may expose others to retaliation for speaking out."

The investigation remains active, with no public timeline for resolution. City officials have not disclosed whether additional complaints or witnesses are involved. Mayor Her continues to perform her duties while the matter is under review by the city attorney’s office and any outside investigators assigned to the case.