LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police Maj. Brian Kuriger was back at work Monday after facing sexual harassment allegations earlier this year.
LMPD officials placed him on administrative leave after another major, Maj. Shannon Lauder, told former Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel during a meeting on May 22 that he harassed and attacked her. That meeting was recorded and then released to the media.
"The independent investigation found that Major Kuriger did not violate LMPD Standard Operating Procedures related to allegations made by Major Shannon Lauder," a statement from LMPD reads. "Allegations, also made by Major Shannon Lauder, of inappropriate behavior and comments by Major Kuriger while working as a member of the LMPD Training Academy from October 2017 to July 2021 were unfounded. There was no credible evidence put forward in the independent investigation that the alleged behavior occurred."
In a statement to WHAS11 News, the mayor's spokesperson, Kevin Trager, said that "based on the findings of the independent investigation conducted by Mr. Dilbeck, it is our understanding that reinstatement was the appropriate course of action.”
It was later revealed Kuriger was investigating Lauder and her husband, Lt. Jeff Lauder, for sexual harassment allegations made against them.
The independent investigation by attorney James Dilbeck found Kuriger did not violate department policy while investigating.
Allegations of other inappropriate behavior and comments were unfounded per the investigation.
Dilbeck said Shannon declined to be interviewed through her attorney.
The Lauders have also filed a lawsuit against LMPD. A separate investigation into how LMPD handled the allegations is still ongoing.
In a statement to WHAS11 News, Shannon's attorney said Dilbeck and LMPD did not send him the findings of the investigation.
"Upon review, it is apparent that this investigation is incomplete, speculative in part, and ultimately biased," attorney Jared Smith said. "Mr. Dilbeck should not have continued to lead the investigation once suit was filed by my clients against LMPD, Maj. Kuriger, and former Chief Gwinn-Villaroel, amongst others, as by his own admission, Mr. Dilbeck represents the Chief’s office – an extension of LMPD."
He later said Dilbeck indicated during a conversation in early July that he represented the Chief's office.
Both are still on administrative leave after a different lawsuit alleged Jeff propositioned another officer at a pool party in 2020, and Shannon was reportedly "grossly inappropriate" at work.
Read the attorney's full statement below:
This morning I was denied access to PSU File No. 2506, which would presumably contain Mr. Dilbeck’s report concerning the findings of his investigation. The report was not sent to me by Mr. Dilbeck or LMPD but was apparently published to the media.
Upon review, it is apparent that this investigation is incomplete, speculative in part, and ultimately biased. Mr. Dilbeck should not have continued to lead the investigation once suit was filed by my clients against LMPD, Maj. Kuriger, and former Chief Gwinn-Villaroel, amongst others, as by his own admission, Mr. Dilbeck represents the Chief’s office – an extension of LMPD. This creates an inherent conflict of interest. Of further concern is that on its face, the investigation appears to have violated the Jefferson Circuit Court’s temporary injunction precluding LMPD from continuing or beginning anew any investigation or disciplinary proceedings that were initiated based on or resulted from information learned during peer support counseling sessions, including but not limited to Professional Standards Unit Investigations 22-036 and 23-007. Per Mr. Dilbeck’s report, both PSU cases were reviewed as part of his investigation.
Further, I caution anyone adopt the findings of this investigation as fact as LMPD so eagerly has. All matters germane to this investigation and much more will play out in an unbiased manner in the Jefferson County Circuit Court, pursuant to the Kentucky Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure. The merits of my clients’ claims will be determined by a jury of their peers as is their constitutional right, as opposed to a single individual who will be or has been compensated for his efforts by one of the defendants to my clients’ lawsuit. My clients are eager to testify.
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