Lawsuit claims Family Health's ex-CEO 'bragged' about harassing employees
David Tatro, whose annual salary was $445,000, named as defendant in sexual harassment lawsuit
SANDUSKY — The former CEO at Family Health Services health center bragged about his history of sexually harassing female employees, according to a lawsuit filed in federal court last year.
David Tatro, who resigned as CEO and CFO at FHS on Sunday, is named as a defendant in the lawsuit, which also names the nonprofit healthcare services agency as a defendant.
The plaintiff is the agency’s former director of public relations Cora Higgins. Higgins declined comment when contacted Tuesday afternoon.
Toxic workplace?
Higgins’ lawsuit levels a series of explosive allegations that paint a picture of a workplace defined by sexual harassment, disability discrimination, and a blatant disregard for federal labor laws. Higgins is seeking damages in excess of $25,000 for what is described in the court action as “a predatory and retaliatory environment.”
Tatro divulged he had been previously accused of sexual harassment by a former employee, according to the lawsuit, but he “bragged that it did not cost him much to make her go away.”
The lawsuit also describes a toxic crossover between Tatro’s personal and professional life, alleging that Tatro’s wife sent Higgins harassing text messages because she believed the two were having an affair—an impression Higgins claims Tatro intentionally cultivated by keeping her in his office for hours behind closed doors.
The complaint in U.S. District Court in Toledo was filed Dec. 23.
Tatro resigned in an email to Family Health Services board members, according to Board chair Jack Runner. Runner said the resignation was not anticipated. He declined to say what reason Tratro gave for resigning or provide a copy of the resignation.
Tatro’s annual salary plus bonuses was about $445,000. It’s unknown if there is a payout for separation in his contract.
Unwanted advances
The factual allegations in the complaint are remarkably specific and salacious. Higgins claims that throughout her tenure, Tatro subjected her to constant comments about her physical appearance and “sex appeal.” According to the filing, Tatro allegedly treated Higgins more like a “significant other” than an employee, telling her she “didn’t need to date or get married” because he “didn’t want to share” her.
The document even describes a bizarre incident where Tatro allegedly asked Higgins to reprimand another female colleague for wearing tight pants while gesturing to his own genitals—a moment that Higgins uses to illustrate a pervasive and severe hostile work environment.
The lawsuit takes a turn from harassment to legal interference regarding the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Higgins, who identifies as disabled, claims her condition was exacerbated by the hostile environment. When she took approved FMLA leave in 2025, Tatro allegedly became “upset” that she was not available for his calls 24/7.
Tatro told Higgins that her disability “does not allow you to do your job” because he required constant access to her, the lawsuit contends. Federal leave protections are designed to protect employees from the pressures of being required to be “on-call” during medical recovery.
Don’t let the door hit you
The timeline of Higgins’ termination is detailed in the lawsuit and points toward a classic retaliation claim. Higgins filed a formal Charge of Discrimination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on Aug. 27, 2025, the lawsuit states. Tatro was notified of this filing at 5:43 p.m. that day. Less than 24 hours later, at 12:44 p.m. on Aug. 28, Higgins was fired while still on approved medical leave, according to the lawsuit.
This sequence of events—filing a federal complaint and being terminated the next business day—is the cornerstone of the retaliation claim against Tatro, which contends it was a reactionary firing that bypasses standard human resources protocols.
This federal case raises serious questions about the oversight of Family Health Services. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), FHS receives significant taxpayer funding and is tasked with serving the most vulnerable populations. The counts of hostile work environment, FMLA interference, and “Aiding and Abetting” discrimination against Tatro personally suggest a breakdown in corporate governance.
With Tatro’s resignation and this lawsuit now in the public record, the FHS board faces a crisis of credibility: how much did they know about these “predatory” behaviors, and why was the CEO allowed to “brag” about silencing previous victims?
Tatro has not returned calls seeking comment.
