LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Another female Louisville Metro police officer filed a sexual harassment lawsuit Thursday, saying an LMPD lieutenant propositioned her at a pool party and his wife, also an LMPD employee, was "grossly inappropriate" at work.
Sgt. Lauren Carby filed the lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court against the city and department. Earlier this week, Officer Christine Silk filed a similar lawsuit alleging two superiors sexually harassed her on numerous occasions.
Carby names Maj. Shannon Lauder and her husband, Lt. Jeff Lauder, in her suit, among others. Shannon's recent sexual harassment allegation against Maj. Brian Kuriger led to Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel being placed on paid administrative leave for her handling of the claim.
On Thursday, Carby's attorney Sara Collins spoke about the struggles her client had to endure over the years.
"My client Lauren Carby was sexually harassed and retaliated against," Collins said. "By the highest members of LMPD command including Major Shannon Lauder, Jeff Lauder, Major Mindy Vance, as well as Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel."
On Aug. 1, 2020, Shannon and Jeff hosted a pool party at their home and invited all members of LMPD SVU to attend. Shannon reached out to Carby shortly before the party to reiterate it was an adults-only party and children were not invited.
According to the lawsuit, Shannon and Jeff became "very intoxicated" and Shannon was seen "openly kissing" a sex crimes detective in front of other guests before disappearing for an extended period of time.
While Shannon and the detective were gone, Jeff approached Carby and made "unwanted, unsolicited sexual advances" toward her. The suit states Jeff made multiple inappropriate comments about Carby's appearance and body, and propositioned her for sex.
He told Carby him and his wife both engage in extramarital sexual relationships and received permission from his wife to seek a sexual relationship with her.
Carby was "stunned and appalled," and left a short time later before briefly returning to speak to Shannon at her request. Carby left again after Jeff tried to kiss her.
Rumors about the pool party quickly swirled around LMPD and members of the department questioned Carby about the event. Some suggested she was a willing participant and labeled her a "liar" and a "gossip."
Collins said her client dealt with this problem for multiple years.
"We want to see a new day at LMPD," Collins said. "Where we want to see this toxic sexualized misogyny rich culture smashed and destroyed."
According to the lawsuit, no superiors or command officers took steps to initiate an investigation in the immediate aftermath. Carby did not wish to report the events due to fear of retaliation and negative impacts on her career.
An investigation was eventually launched in 2022, but a lawsuit filed by the River City Fraternal Order of Police in March 2023 alleged the investigation was a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. A judge agreed and ultimately halted the investigation.
Collins said this lawsuit has been years in the making and she's also represented several police officers who wish LMPD had a better reputation.
"But I cannot tell you how many retired and current police officers I've heard from over the past week who have said I'm tired of this department being such an embarrassment to me," Collins said.
An LMPD spokesperson released the following statement Thursday:
“We will not tolerate sexual misconduct as it runs afoul of our mission to provide a safe work environment for our entire team and city.
LMPD initiated an investigation in October 2022 into this matter. We are extremely frustrated we could not reach a conclusion to this investigation as the court sided with the FOP to temporarily stop the investigation from proceeding.
We take this - and all - allegations of this nature seriously and will thoroughly complete our investigation and take action.
We are currently reviewing all of the allegations in this lawsuit and will share more information as we are able to.”
Carby's lawsuit also accuses Shannon of making "grossly inappropriate" comments regarding her sex life at work on multiple occasions.
RELATED VIDEO