LMPD major accused of sexual harassment during secretly recorded meeting cleared of wrongdoing

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WAVE) – The Louisville Metro Police Department major accused of sexual harassment during a secretly recorded meeting with former police chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel has been exonerated, WAVE Troubleshooters has learned.

Major Brian Kuriger was acquitted of the charges following an investigation conducted by attorney Jay Dilbeck.

Dilbeck was hired by the district attorney's office because of Kuriger's position as head of the Special Investigations Division (SID), which is responsible for internal investigations. Kuriger has now been reinstated to that position, the LMPD said.

He was accused of sexual harassment by another LMPD major, Shannon Lauder, during a recorded meeting between the former chief and members of her command staff. One minute after Lauder made the allegation public and said she could not work with him because of it, Villaroel announced her intention to promote Kuriger to her rank of lieutenant colonel.

Villaroel was suspended by Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg for failing to adequately respond to allegations of sexual harassment and for announcing Kuriger's planned promotion.

Lauder was later placed on leave after another officer, Lauren Carby, accused her of making sexually inappropriate advances toward her during an adult pool party, according to Carby's lawsuit and other allegations.

Lauder filed her own lawsuit, dismissing Carby's allegations as rumors that would have further damaged her career. Lauder also reiterated the allegations against Kuriger, who oversaw the investigation into the alleged pool party.

A separate investigation into Villaroel's actions by attorney and former FBI agent David Beyer is ongoing. That investigation was authorized by Mayor Greenberg.

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