Minnesota Mayor Kaohly Her is accused of sexual harassment by the city's police chief and other staff members, with allegations including sending inappropriate messages, such as a "Happy Weiner Wednesday" text. The accusations have prompted the city to hire an outside law firm to investigate the claims.
Sexual Harassment Allegations in St. Paul
The police chief, Axel Henry, has filed a formal complaint after becoming aware that the mayor's conduct has extended beyond isolated incidents and has included sexual harassment of subordinate city employees, according to his lawyer, Chris Madel. The complaint includes a screenshot of a text message allegedly sent by Her to an unnamed city worker, which read, "Happy Weiner Wednesday! Wish I was having a [hot dog emoji] with you all on 6 today!"
The term "Weiner Wednesdays" refers to a weekly event where a civilian worker brings in hot dogs for some St. Paul Police Department staff. The incident has sparked an investigation, with the city's law firm looking into claims of sexualized communications and unwanted physical contact from Her directed at Henry and other employees.
Investigation and Potential Litigation
The attorney for Chief Henry has demanded that the city take immediate action to extract data from Her's phones, warning that litigation is "reasonably foreseeable." The mayor's office has not commented on the specific allegations, but a spokesperson said Her has "deep respect for city employees and regrets any unintended impact her actions may have had."
The city of St. Paul has hired an outside law firm to investigate the allegations, which will examine the claims of sexual harassment and potential misconduct by the mayor. The investigation is ongoing, and the outcome is still uncertain, with the city's residents and employees awaiting the results.
What's Next for the City of St. Paul
As the investigation continues, the city's residents and employees will be watching closely to see how the allegations against Mayor Her are handled. The outcome of the investigation and any potential litigation could have significant implications for the city and its leadership, with many waiting to see what actions will be taken to address the allegations and ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all employees.
