Hank Winchester, the former consumer affairs reporter for WDIV-TV, has been fired following allegations of misconduct that arose during a police investigation. The reports indicate that Winchester, 51, was accused of inappropriate behavior during a massage therapy session at his Beverly Hills home, despite lacking the necessary certification to provide such services.
According to police records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, the allegations stem from an incident involving a man who had initially met Winchester through Facebook Marketplace while picking up a sofa he was selling. The encounter led to Winchester offering the alleged victim free massage services, claiming he had recently completed massage therapy certification. However, it was later confirmed that Winchester was not licensed to practice massage therapy in Michigan.
During the session on April 10, the complainant reported inappropriate touching, asserting that Winchester’s actions were deliberate rather than accidental. The man expressed concerns about potential recording devices present in the room, citing a small white camera and a cord hanging from the ceiling. Despite the investigation, no conclusive evidence of such devices was found.
The alleged abuse led to the man filing a police report on May 22. Following this, authorities executed a search warrant at Winchester’s home, seizing various electronic devices, although they reported no images of the complainant were found on these items. Initial assertions of recording were deemed unfounded, and while some footage related to the time of the massage was found, it was described as inaccessible.
On August 15, the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office announced that it would not pursue charges against Winchester, concluding that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations. In a public statement, Winchester expressed relief at the conclusion of the investigation and denied the accusations, labeling them as defamatory.
The case has garnered attention not only because of Winchester’s standing as an Emmy Award-winning journalist but also due to the mixed responses from WDIV regarding other employees with past allegations. Unlike Winchester, who was placed on leave amid the investigation, other reporters at the station faced varying outcomes following their respective issues and returned to work post-suspension.
While the investigation has concluded without criminal charges, the impact on Winchester’s career has led to his dismissal from WDIV. As scrutiny continues, questions remain regarding the network’s policies and the management of similar allegations in the future.