A former senior executive at Columbus real estate developer Thrive Companies has filed a civil lawsuit that reads like a bombshell inside the city’s development scene, accusing the firm’s then-CEO, Kevin Zeppernick, of years of sexual harassment, retaliation and sexual battery. The complaint, lodged in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, says the plaintiff joined Thrive in 2018 and was fired in 2025 after raising alarms about Zeppernick’s alleged conduct. The suit seeks lost wages, damages for emotional distress, attorneys’ fees and punitive damages.
What the Lawsuit Alleges
According to 614NOW, the complaint, filed April 10 in Franklin County, includes text-message exhibits the plaintiff says show persistent sexual advances and explicit messages from Zeppernick, along with one alleged instance of forcible intercourse while the plaintiff was incapacitated. The filing says the plaintiff initially received high praise and promises of profit participation, equity, a home and a car from Zeppernick, but that once the alleged misconduct began, the plaintiff was sidelined, denied promotions and ultimately terminated in 2025 after complaining. The suit seeks more than $25,000 in damages and sets out initial disclosure deadlines for the parties in June.
Thrive's Response
Thrive principals Mark Wagenbrenner and Steve Bollinger told 614NOW they first learned of the allegations last summer and say many of the claims are "demonstrably false." An internal staff email quoted in the complaint describes Zeppernick as "a friend to many of us and an important part of Thrive's journey," wording the plaintiff says soft-pedaled the company’s response to the accusations against its then-CEO.
About Thrive in Columbus
Thrive Companies says it manages in-house construction, development and property management across central Ohio, with decades of projects and industry recognition highlighted on its site. According to the Thrive Companies' website, the firm has been active in Columbus’ multifamily market for more than 20 years and credits a roster of company leaders with guiding its expansion.
Legal Context and Next Steps
Because the complaint combines employment claims with allegations of non-consensual sexual conduct, the case lands at the intersection of civil employment law and Ohio’s sex-offense statutes. Ohio law prohibits workplace sex discrimination under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4112, and the state criminal code defines rape and sexual battery in Chapter 2907. The civil lawsuit will now move through discovery and pretrial proceedings in Franklin County, while any potential criminal investigation, if pursued by prosecutors, would follow a separate track.
