Columbus real estate developer sued by former exec over sexual harassment claims
A former senior executive at real estate developer Thrive Companies in Columbus is pursuing a civil case against the company and a few of its principal executives after experiencing alleged sexual harassment and assault by the company’s former CEO, Kevin Zeppernick, as well as alleged discrimination and retaliation from both Zeppernick and the company.
The former female executive is suing for sex discrimination, retaliation, sexual harrassment, and sexual battery and assault, according to the lawsuit, filed April 10 in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
The plaintiff, who was Zeppernick’s direct report, started at the company in 2018 and regularly received high praise for her job performance and promises of profit, equity, homes, and a car from Zeppernick, according to the lawsuit and case exhibits showing text messages between Zeppernick and the plaintiff.
Over the next few years, the suit alleges, Zeppernick proceeded to pursue the plaintiff with unwanted advances, texting her inappropriate sexual comments like, “I want to bend you over!,” “If you give me some time to learn your body, I promise I will make you c*m harder than anyone before,” and “Are any of [your girlfriends] up for a threesome?!?!” Zeppernick also sought erasure of their messages, texting his subordinate, “You better delete these text strings” while insisting he “will always be beyond ultra careful with our communications—will delete all texts!,” according to texts submitted as case exhibits.
Zeppernick also initiated sexual contact with the plaintiff on multiple occasions, including once when Zeppernick allegedly had forcible intercourse with her while she was passed out after drinking and unable to consent, according to the lawsuit. This alleged harassment and manipulation by her superior caused the plaintiff “significant emotional distress.”
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The suit also claims that both Zeppernick and other leaders at the company, including current CEO Mark Wagenbrenner and current Executive Vice President of Development Steve Bollinger, made unwelcome, inappropriate comments to the plaintiff making light of her sexuality.
After bringing her complaints to the company, the lawsuit claims that Thrive retaliated against the plaintiff, limiting her responsibilities, freezing her out from company meetings, refusing her promotions, conducting a “bogus” investigation against her, and eventually terminating her in 2025. The suit also alleges that Thrive allowed Zeppernick’s actions, “as it has a culture built on partying across the world with a foundation of extensive drug use and public drunkenness,” recounting instances of misconduct with drug and alcohol use, sometimes during company trips.
Representatives of Wagenbrenner and Bollinger shared a statement with 614NOW on behalf of the executives, saying they first became aware of the allegations last summer and take them very seriously, but many of the claims in the complaint are “demonstrably false.”
“We are disappointed in this spurious attack on our culture and the dedicated employees at Thrive who do their jobs with professionalism and excellence each day,” the statement reads. “We intend to fully defend the company in court and pursue all rights and remedies available to us. We maintain and remain committed to a safe and respectful workplace and will respond fully to these claims through the legal process.”
Thrive also terminated Zeppernick in 2025 due to violating company policy related to personal conduct. But in the emailed announcement of his departure from Thrive’s board of directors to employees, the suit alleges that the company “softpeddled [Zeppernick’s] transgressions” and “ratified the conduct.” The email, as shared in the lawsuit, reads, “This has been a painful decision. Kevin has been a friend to many of us and an important part of Thrive’s journey. His energy, leadership, and vision helped shape who we are today, and we are sincerely grateful for his many contributions. He will be missed.”
Thrive has dealt in in-house construction, development, and management of apartment complexes across Columbus for over two decades, according to their website.
The plaintiff is seeking compensation for “suffered damages including lost wages, benefits, emotional distress, attorneys’ fees, and punitive damages in an amount to be established at trial of over $25,000.” The case will proceed with Initial Disclosures of the Parties in June.
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