LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police have released the findings of an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment by Maj. Brian Kuriger against Maj. Shannon Lauder.

Lauder and her husband, Lt. Jeffrey Lauder, filed a lawsuit on July 30, 2024 against Kuriger, the Louisville Metro Police Department, Louisville Metro Government and others accusing them of failing to address their claims of sexual harassment.

On Wednesday, Interim Chief Paul Humphrey released the findings of outside counsel James Dilbeck. According to a notice from Humphrey, the investigation found Kuriger did not sexually harass Shannon Lauder, and her claims that Kuriger made inappropriate comments and displayed inappropriate behavior were unfounded. Kuriger was also exonerated of charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer. Humphrey’s decision said there was “no credible evidence put forward in the independent investigation that the alleged behavior occurred.”

In the lawsuit, Shannon Lauder claimed she was sexually harassed by Kuriger, the officer leading a Professional Standards investigation into a party at the Lauders’ home. The party is the subject of another lawsuit by another LMPD officer. Lauder also claimed Kuriger made comments about her body, stalked new recruits on social media and received lap dances from female recruits at training graduation parties.

According to the Lauder’s lawsuit, LMPD leadership’s failure to respond to her claims, and it prompted her to speak out against Kuriger’s promotion at a May 22, 2024 meeting..

Louisville Metro Police Major Shannon Lauder is accusing another LMPD officer of sexual harassment. It was the handling of the case that led Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg to suspend police chief, Jacquelyn Gwinn-Villaroel. (Jared Smith Law)

“Prior to the command meeting, Shannon had been actively searching for a way to report Defendant Kuriger’s harassing conduct towards her but had not found an avenue to make such a report as she had been ordered by LMPD not to speak of anything involving either PSU (Professional Standards Unit) case pending against her,” the lawsuit said.

Humphrey placed Kuriger on administrative leave in June.

Dilbeck’s investigation found Kuriger conducted himself appropriately when investigating a pair of Professional Standards Unit cases involving the Lauders. Both of the cases involve Shannon Lauder and are sexual in nature. The investigation findings say Lauder and her husband, through their attorneys, declined to be interviewed for Dilbeck for his investigation.

Dilbeck spoke with colleagues of Shannon Lauder regarding her allegations of inappropriate behavior and comments by Kuriger during her training. No one could corroborate her claims, and there have been no other claims or allegations against Kuriger. Kuriger denied the allegations when he was interviewed by Dilbeck.

In the finding letter to Kuriger, Humphrey said, “It is clear, based on the investigation and the above findings, your actions were appropriate and expected within the scope of your duties. No disciplinary action is warranted.”

Kuriger returned to active duty with LMPD on Aug. 12.