Hank Winchester, WDIV reporter, placed on leave amid police investigation
WDIV-TV (Channel 4) placed Hank Winchester on leave amid an investigation involving the consumer investigative reporter.
"We here at Local 4 have been made aware of an external investigation regarding Hank Winchester. As of this time, he has been placed on administrative leave. While the investigation is ongoing — we won't make any further comments," wrote WDIV Vice President and General Manager Bob Ellis in a statement June 18.
Stephen Huber, public information officer for the Oakland County Sheriff's Office, said that the sheriff's office provided assistance in executing a search warrant June 13 at Winchester's Beverly Hills home. Huber deferred questions about the investigation to Beverly Hills police.
"This is their case," Huber said.
Beverly Hills Deputy Police Chief Lee Davis did not immediately respond to a voice message left by the Detroit Free Press.
Winchester's attorney, Todd Flood, said Winchester is not taking any interviews, but provided a June 18 statement, saying: "Hank has spent decades bringing truth to our community and fighting for our citizens. Because he holds a high-profile position in our community, that can at times generate false accusations. This investigation will end where it began — nowhere."
Winchester began working at WDIV in 2001, according to his biography on the station's website.
Contact Clara Hendrickson: chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: WDIV's Hank Winchester placed on leave amid investigation
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