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'I had concerns': Mayor says LMPD chief told him about workplace sexual harassment allegations

Two independent investigations are underway, as audio from a police command staff meeting on May 22 has circulated.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg told WHAS11 that it was Louisville Metro Police Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel who notified him about a recent workplace sexual harassment claim made within the department.

Greenberg put Gwinn-Villaroel on paid administrative leave this week, citing concerns over her handling of the allegation.

Friday morning, Greenberg revealed he was alerted about the allegation two weeks ago.

"The Chief brought this to my attention that an incident had occurred. Now, it's probably been about two weeks ago. And the second I heard that, I had concerns," Greenberg told WHAS11 at a public appearance.

Two independent investigations are underway, as audio from a police command staff meeting on May 22 has circulated.

In a part of the 15-minute recording, which is largely made up of Gwinn-Villaroel passionately demanding top performance from her command staff, LMPD Maj. Shannon Lauder -- along with other officers -- are asked by the chief if there's anyone they couldn't work with.

That's when Lauder made the sexual harassment allegation.

Lauder's attorney, Jared Smith, wrote in a statement, "While Major Lauder was exploring ways to report the complaint in a confidential way, she felt compelled to make her statement in front of her colleagues, due to the way she was put on the spot by the chief."

Meanwhile, at Gospel Missionary Church on Friday, Deputy Chief Steve Healey spoke at a weekly community discussion he's been attending for years. Called the Bishop's Table, Healey addressed the elephant in the room.

"She's still the Chief. She's still the Chief. She's just on leave right now, but she's still the Chief," Healey told dozens of people in the room. "When you talk about going from the top to the bottom, it really shouldn't matter who's in that chair because our mission is still to serve this community in a fair, ethical and constitutional manner."

WHAS11 asked Greenberg if he sees Gwinn-Villaroel returning to her role when the investigations are complete, to which he answered, "Let's let the independent investigations play themselves out."

Maj. Lauder's attorney said, as of Thursday, she's not currently attending police meetings.

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