Hank Winchester, a television reporter in Detroit who has won an Emmy, recently shared that he has been cleared in a law enforcement inquiry following allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior during a massage in June.
Since these claims surfaced, Winchester hasn’t been on his podcast, “Morning After After,” which he co-hosts with Kelly Stafford. In a recent episode, he reflected on the polygraph tests he underwent, calling the experience “emotionally exhausting” and noting how thorough the investigation was.
Police executed a search warrant at his Beverly Hills residence as part of the June 13 investigation. Winchester suggested that local law enforcement has shared their findings, while he also expressed frustration at media reports that seem to spread misinformation, notably from one particular outlet.
Winchester took a leave of absence from his position at Local Four News, an NBC affiliate in Detroit. While he didn’t specify which local news reported the allegations, outlets like FOX2 Detroit did cover the situation, mentioning that he had recently engaged in massage therapy. It remains unclear whether he was receiving or administering the massage.
He stated, “This was a necessary and comprehensive investigation.” He also emphasized wanting to ensure that every detail was scrutinized, adding that the allegations ultimately proved unfounded, which he felt was a chance for his attorney to address the defamatory nature of the claims.
Winchester described the experience as taxing, mentioning that he completed two polygraph tests and passed them easily. He is married to Jacob Cunningham, a judge in Oakland County, and they have a daughter named Emma, who is seven.
Kelly Stafford, wife of Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, expressed her concern for Winchester during this turbulent time, saying she felt disconnected from him and was relieved to see him emerge from the situation positively.
Attorneys Todd Flood and Neil Lockingd held a press conference where they stated that their client faced unwarranted allegations that gained international attention after media coverage. Winchester was not in attendance but posted a statement on social media afterward.
It remains ambiguous whether he is still on leave from Local 4 News.
