The Saturday night at Sweeney’s: be “friends,” or “this was not going to work”
The lawsuitReport: split decisionLawsuit / the reportAlleged Feb 28, 2026The lawsuit says the mayor required the chief to meet her at a bar on a Saturday night, repeatedly told him her marriage was in trouble, and said the two of them needed to be “friends” or “this was not going to work.” The report rejects the idea that it was a “date” — her texts told him he could bring other people — and did not find the conversation sexual. But it confirms she asked a subordinate to decide whether they were going to be friends, and notes that she “still believes” he should have to answer. Her account: she wanted a reset after an argument over how police respond to federal immigration operations, and gave him three options — friends, a productive working relationship without liking each other, or he no longer serves as chief.
… the requirement that a subordinate employee tell Mayor Her whether [redacted] will be “friends” with her is inappropriate. However, the investigation did not sustain the contention that this demand for an answer was sexual in nature.
Where things stand: the city’s outside investigation did not substantiate sexual harassment or retaliation. The police chief’s lawsuit is pending and its claims are allegations. Mayor Her has apologized for crossing lines and says she will vigorously defend against the suit.