'Speak up or remain silent': New details shared on secret recording of LMPD meeting
An attorney for Maj. Shannon Lauder, a senior officer with the Louisville Metro Police Department, has shared more details of a secretly recorded meeting he says led to the suspension of Chief Jaquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel.
Lawyer Jared Smith said Lauder voiced concerns about working with Maj. Brian Kuriger during a May 22 meeting between Gwinn-Villaroel and members of her command staff.
In that meeting, which Lauder attended virtually, she told the chief that Kuriger, "has sexually harassed me and attacked me. I cannot work with him," according to a recording of the meeting shared with The Courier Journal. The recording has not been independently verified.
After, seconds of silence follow the major's allegation before Gwinn-Villaroel resumes one minute later, when she announces the promotion of Kuriger to lieutenant colonel.
"We'll have to revisit on the status moving forward," Gwinn-Villaroel is heard in the audio telling Lauder.
During a press conference Thursday morning, Lauder's attorney, Smith, described the chief’s tone in that meeting as “aggressive” and “threatening.” Additionally, he said it was clear the environment of that meeting was not welcoming or safe.
It evidences, he said, "poor leadership."
He did not provide additional details indicating whether the alleged assault was related to the alleged sexual harassment, though he did say he is investigating allegations that span the last four years. He said he was retained by Lauder prior to the May 22 meeting.
By coming forward with the allegations and the recording of the chief’s response to the allegations, Smith said, Lauder’s goal is to hold LMPD leaders accountable and to spark “real, long-standing change,” within the department.
There is potential for a lawsuit being filed, Smith said.
“If at the conclusion of my own investigation, if the facts … turn out to be actionable and it is my client’s ultimate desire to pursue a lawsuit, then I will certainly file a lawsuit on her behalf,” he said.
Mayor Craig Greenberg announced late Wednesday that Gwinn-Villaroel had been suspended following concerns over how she handled a workplace sexual harassment allegation. However, he has not named the officers involved or verified the suspension was connected to the May 22 meeting.
"I will not tolerate sexual misconduct in Louisville Metro Government, including in LMPD," Greenberg said when announcing the suspension. "Rules and policies are in place for a reason and they need to be followed."
Smith said he was “encouraged with the steps that Mayor Greenberg has taken thus far.”
Lauder had not taken her concerns to the chief prior to the May 22 meeting, Smith said.
"While Major Lauder was exploring ways to report the complaint in a confidential way, she felt compelled to makeher statement in front of her colleagues, due to the way she was put on the spot by the chief," Smith said in a written statement sent out ahead of Thursday's press conference.
"Speak up or remain silent were her choices," he continued. "The latter is an all-too-common occurrence among women who are harassed in the workplace."
Lauder is a 16-year veteran of LMPD according to her 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 if she was working, Smith said: “Maj. Lauder is processing everything that’s happened and is considering her options.”
Kuriger did not immediately respond to an email and LinkedIn message sent by The Courier Journal. An automatic reply email from his Louisville Metro Government email account said he was out of the office from June 8 through June 16.
Contact reporter Krista Johnson at kjohnson3@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Shannon Lauder lawyer outlines what led to her speaking up at meeting
