Louisville, KY – After nearly five years of high-profile investigations, the Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) has reached a conclusion regarding allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct surrounding an “adult pool” party hosted by Maj. Shannon Lauder and her husband, Lt. Jeffrey Lauder. Both Lauders were prominent figures within the LMPD, with Shannon Lauder previously serving as the head of the First Division and Jeffrey Lauder in charge of the SWAT team.
The investigation focused on a party held in the summer of 2020, attended by several police officers and their spouses, where allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct emerged. The case drew significant public attention, particularly after Sgt. Lauren Carby, a member of the LMPD’s Sex Crimes Unit, filed a lawsuit accusing the Lauders of making sexually inappropriate advances toward her during the event.
On April 29, LMPD Chief Paul Humphrey released a memo detailing the findings of the department’s investigation. According to the memo, Jeffrey Lauder was found to have committed “conduct unbecoming” during the party. Despite this, the most serious accusations, including sexual harassment and untruthfulness, were not substantiated. As a result, Lauder was suspended for 15 days, relieved of his position as SWAT commander, and reassigned to a patrol unit.
However, the allegations of sexual harassment remained murky. The investigation could not definitively establish whether Jeff Lauder made unwanted sexual advances toward Carby, leaving many questions unanswered. Chief Humphrey acknowledged the negative impact the incident had on the department but ultimately did not take further disciplinary action against Jeffrey Lauder beyond the suspension.
Meanwhile, Shannon Lauder, who retired from the LMPD on April 1, faced no disciplinary action following the investigation. In a memo dated April 28, Chief Humphrey stated that no violations had been found against Shannon Lauder, leading to the conclusion that no disciplinary measures would be taken against her. This outcome drew criticism from Carby’s attorney, Sara Collins, who accused the department of continuing to downplay serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
“The outcome of these investigations shows that sexual harassment is being handled the same at LMPD as it always has—minimizing the perpetrators’ actions and calling it by a different name,” Collins said. “This is a system that continues to harm female and minority officers, and the failure to support sexual harassment victims is deeply disappointing.”
Carby’s lawsuit alleges that during the pool party, Jeff Lauder made sexual advances toward her, leading her to leave the event. However, she was reportedly encouraged to return by Shannon Lauder, who later gave her “blessing” to engage in a relationship with her husband. According to Carby’s account, the situation escalated when she returned to the Lauder home and was confronted by Jeff Lauder, who attempted to kiss her. Carby allegedly pushed him away and left the residence.
Despite these allegations, the department’s internal investigation did not result in any formal charges against either of the Lauders. LMPD officials emphasized that sexual misconduct of any kind is not tolerated within the department. However, the investigation faced significant delays due to a 2023 lawsuit filed by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), which temporarily halted the inquiry. The FOP had argued that the department violated its collective bargaining agreement by improperly initiating an internal investigation based on confidential and protected information.
The investigation into the Lauders was further complicated by a separate lawsuit filed by Shannon Lauder, who accused Maj. Brian Kuriger—who was in charge of overseeing the pool party investigation—of sexually harassing her. Although Kuriger was cleared of any wrongdoing, this legal battle added another layer of complexity to the overall case.
The controversy surrounding the Lauder case also led to the resignation of former LMPD Chief Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel in June 2024. Mayor Craig Greenberg placed her on administrative leave after it was revealed that she had promoted Maj. Kuriger to lieutenant colonel shortly after Shannon Lauder accused him of sexual harassment. Gwinn-Villaroel claimed her resignation was under duress, although the mayor emphasized that her handling of the situation, rather than the allegations themselves, was the cause of her departure.
For Carby, the road to seeking justice has been fraught with obstacles. She claims that rumors about the pool party circulated throughout the department, suggesting she was a “willing participant” in the events. Despite this, the LMPD did not launch an immediate investigation into the allegations, and Carby has since been denied multiple promotions, including one for which Chief Gwinn-Villaroel reportedly “refused to appoint” her.
As the legal battles continue, Carby remains adamant that the department’s handling of sexual harassment allegations is inadequate, particularly when it involves high-ranking officers like the Lauders. Her lawsuit argues that Carby was denied opportunities and retaliated against for not acquiescing to the advances of powerful figures within the department.
The LMPD’s response to these ongoing allegations has been one of frustration, acknowledging that the investigation has taken longer than expected due to legal challenges. A spokesperson for the department reiterated that LMPD takes all claims of sexual misconduct seriously and will continue to review the allegations in Carby’s lawsuit. However, with the investigation into the Lauders now concluded, the fallout from this case may continue to impact the department’s efforts to address allegations of harassment and misconduct.
