Local developer and former CEO file countersuits in sexual harassment lawsuit
Local developer Thrive Companies and former CEO Kevin Zeppernick have filed countersuits against the former executive that sued them in April. Her original suit claims she experienced sexual harassment, as well as alleged discrimination and retaliation from Zeppernick and the company.
Thrive (formerly known as Waggenbrenner Development) and Zeppernick filed counterclaims on June 11, disputing the former executive’s (who will not be named by 614Now) claims as false, alleging she believed she could get more money from a lawsuit than a severance package, and that she had a workplace relationship with a subordinate herself.
The original lawsuit claims Zeppernick, who was Thrive’s CEO at the time, sent her unwanted advances through text, and in person, including one occasion where he allegedly had forcible intercourse with her while she was passed out after drinking and unable to consent. The original suit filed in April claims current Thrive CEO Mark Wagenbrenner and current Executive Vice President of Development Steve Bollinger made unwelcome, inappropriate comments to the plaintiff making light of her sexuality.
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According to Zeppernick’s countersuit, the former Thrive executive suing the developer demanded “millions of dollars” from the company prior to her April lawsuit, and allegedly said the suit would be filed if she wasn’t paid. Thrive’s counterclaim alleges the former executive believed she “could get more by suing Thrive than accepting a severance package.”
The plaintiff worked at Thrive from 2018 until 2025, when she was terminated.
Additionally, Zeppernick’s filing alleges that text messages submitted to the original lawsuit by the former executive were “doctored, manipulated, and/or incomplete.”
It states that the plaintiff and her attorneys “knew, or should have known, her claims were based on false allegations and false, fabricated, and incomplete evidence.”
Thrive’s filing claimed that the relationship between the former CEO and Zeppernick was “mutual, extensive and consensual.” Its counterclaim also alleges that the plaintiff engaged in a “long-term sexual relationship with a subordinate employee” while the employee was reporting directly to her.
Thrive declined further comment.
Currently, trial assignment for the case is scheduled for April of 2027.
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