Michael Iglio, former CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth.
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The former CEO of Catholic Charities Fort Worth, a major nonprofit serving 28 counties, filed discrimination and retaliation complaints against his former employer, following his “abrupt” termination in August.
In November, Michael Iglio filed a complaint in Tarrant County district court to gain an understanding of why he was terminated, and in December, he filed a discrimination and retaliation complaint with the Fort Worth Human Relations Commission over Catholic Charities’ “refusal to be transparent with the commission.
Iglio, who was promoted from COO to CEO before he was fired Aug. 14, said he waited to come forward publicly because he was hoping to get answers from his former employer and the board of members who have the final say over the hiring and firing of the CEO.
The Star-Telegram called and emailed a Fort Worth Catholic Diocese spokesperson seeking comment but has not gotten a response.
“I don’t want to bring my dirty laundry into the public, but I do feel that part of my role is making Catholic Charities the best it can be,” he said in an interview.
Iglio, who worked in the for-profit sector before coming to Catholic Charities, said he boosted the nonprofit financially and developed a program called Pathways out of Poverty which taught people how “to fish” rather than receive handouts.
According to a news release from Iglio and his attorney, fundraising grew from $6.61 million in 2019 to $10.9 million in 2024 and was on pace to exceed $11 million in 2025.
Iglio told the Star-Telegram that he received “positive performance reviews” and that he exceeded his performance goals.
He was on a Diocese podcast in June, and was also put on a “tailored performance plan” that month.
Iglio said he never got prized personal possessions returned, including family photos, and he lost statues of religious significance that he was given. A photo of his daughter was returned crumpled and in a different frame than the original.
“I’m just trying to understand,” he said.
The complaints allege that there is a systemic issue with leadership in Catholic Charities. The complaint also alleged that bylaws were broken and that he did not receive a severance comparable to previous CEOs who left before he was hired.
Iglio said that once he filed the complaints, Catholic Charities rescinded his severance package.
“Yes, it’s the answers, but it’s trying to understand who defamed me,” he said.
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
With my guide dog Freddie, I keep tabs on growth, economic development and other issues in Northeast Tarrant cities and other communities near Fort Worth. I’ve been a reporter at the Star-Telegram for 34 years.