Shannon Lauder's lawyer explains what led her to speak up at a meeting

An attorney for Maj. Shannon Lauder, a senior officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department, has shared more details about a secretly recorded meeting that he says led to the suspension of Chief Jaquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.

Attorney Jared Smith said Lauder expressed concerns about working with Maj. Brian Kuriger during a May 22 meeting between Gwinn-Villaroel and members of his command staff.

During that meeting, which Lauder attended virtually, she told the chief that Kuriger “sexually harassed me and attacked me.” I can’t work with him,” according to a recording of the meeting shared with The Courier Journal. The recording has not been independently verified.

Then, seconds of silence follow the major’s allegations before Gwinn-Villaroel resumes a minute later, when she announces Kuriger’s promotion to lieutenant colonel.

“We will have to review the situation in the future,” Gwinn-Villaroel is heard in the audio telling Lauder.

At a news conference Thursday morning, Lauder’s attorney Smith called the chief’s tone during that meeting “aggressive” and “threatening.” Additionally, he said it was clear that the environment for this meeting was neither welcoming nor safe.

This demonstrates, he says, “poor leadership”.

He did not provide additional details on whether the alleged assault was related to the alleged sexual harassment, although he said he was investigating allegations dating back to the past four years. He said he was retained by Lauder before the May 22 meeting.

In presenting the allegations and recording the chief’s response to them, Smith said, Lauder’s goal is to hold LMPD leaders accountable and bring about “real, long-lasting change” within the department.

It is possible that legal action could be taken, Smith said.

“If upon completion of my own investigation, if the facts…are found to be actionable and my client’s ultimate desire is to take legal action, then I will certainly take legal action on her behalf.” , did he declare.

Mayor Craig Greenberg announced Wednesday evening that Gwinn-Villaroel had been suspended following concerns about how she handled an allegation of sexual harassment at work. However, he did not name the officers involved or verify that the suspension was related to the May 22 meeting.

“I will not tolerate sexual misconduct within Louisville Metro Government, including within LMPD,” Greenberg said in announcing the suspension. “Rules and policies are in place for a reason and they must be followed.” Smith said he was “encouraged by the actions Mayor Greenberg has taken thus far.”

Lauder had not raised his concerns with the chief before the May 22 meeting, Smith said.

“As Major Lauder explored ways to report the complaint confidentially, she felt compelled to make her statement in front of her colleagues, because of the way she was embarrassed by the chief,” Smith said in a written statement sent ahead of Thursday’s news conference.

“Speaking or remaining silent were his choices,” he continued. “The latter phenomenon is all too common among women who are harassed in the workplace.”

Lauder is a 16-year LMPD veteran, according to his attorney, and leads the department’s 1st Division, which covers downtown and part of the West End.

She previously oversaw LMPD’s Special Victims Unit, which includes the department’s sex crimes squad.

Asked about her current status on the force and whether she was working, Smith replied: “Maj. Lauder is processing everything that happened and considering his options.

Kuriger did not immediately respond to an email and LinkedIn message sent by The Courier Journal. An auto-reply email from his Louisville Metropolitan Government email account indicated he was out of the office June 8-16.

Contact reporter Krista Johnson at[email protected].