Hennepin County Attorney’s Office charges St. Paul man for threats against Mayor Kaohly Her

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) charged Pao Her Lee, 49, with three counts related to threats and harassment directed at St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her when she was a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

This case was conflicted out to the HCAO and is being prosecuted by this office due to Mayor Her’s elected position. The case was brought to the HCAO in late 2025 and further developed through additional investigation, leading to the charges being filed yesterday.

Mr. Lee is charged with one count of felony threats of violence, one count of gross misdemeanor harassment – reasonable fear of substantial bodily harm, and one count of gross misdemeanor harassment – substantial emotional distress.

The threats were made directly following the shootings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and the killings of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

“These threats were reprehensible and the charges our office filed are the appropriate ones to hold Mr. Lee accountable,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “That these threats were made in the immediate aftermath of one of the most traumatizing instances of political violence in American history - and even referenced that violence – is particularly appalling.”

Mr. Lee is currently scheduled to make his first appearance in Ramsey County District Court on July 10 at 9 a.m.

Case Number: 62-CR-26-4261

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