Kelly Stafford has reacted after a misconduct investigation into her “The Morning After” podcast cohost Hank Winchester concluded without any charges being filed.
“Investigation ended right where it started, nowhere,” Stafford, 36, wrote via Instagram on Friday, August 15.
Stafford warmly referred to Winchester, 51, as “my guy” and hinted he would be returning to “The Morning After” next week, teasing: “See y’all Monday.”
A search warrant was executed at Winchester’s Beverly Hills home in June after he was accused of making sexual advances during a massage. Winchester was placed on leave from his full-time job as a consumer reporter for Detroit’s WDIV News while the investigation took place.
Winchester, who had been studying massage therapy, was also absent from several episodes of “The Morning After,” with Stafford simply telling listeners on a July 18 installment that her cohost was “dealing with some personal stuff.”
“The NFL season is just around the corner,” she added. “Soon you will be getting plenty of us, I’m sure. It’s all a lot.”
A statement from the Oakland County Prosecutor’s office to the Detroit Free Press confirmed that the investigation concluded with no cause to charge Winchester.
“After a thorough investigation, which involved multiple interviews as well as searches of both the scene of the incident and electronic devices, the Beverly Hills Police Department presented their findings to our office,” prosecutor David Williams said. “On the facts of this case, it was concluded there was no cause to file any charges against Mr. Winchester.”
Winchester’s attorney Neil Rockind described the podcast host as a “victim of baseless and unfounded allegations” during a press conference in Detroit on Friday. The lawyer displayed copies of a voluntary polygraph exam that Winchester had reportedly passed.
“Hank Winchester has been exonerated and cleared,” Rockind insisted.
His fellow attorney Todd Flood also told reporters, “After having to endure over nine weeks of an investigation, having his life turned upside down from every facet possible, we got great news yesterday from law enforcement that there was no criminal findings and no warrants will be issued. He was put through the ringer over an allegation that did not even warrant the issuance of a charge.”
WDIV shared a statement from the consumer reporter that confirmed he would be returning to his “Help Me Hank” segments . (Winchester has been a mainstay at the Detroit news station since 2001.).
“I’m thankful this investigation is over,” he said. “The allegations made against me were outrageous, unfounded and defamatory. Throughout my 24-year career in Detroit, my mission has always been to help the community I love, protect you from bad actors, and fight for justice. I will always fight for you — just as I’ve recently had to fight for myself.”
Winchester’s statement went on, “I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has shown me tremendous support, especially my family and friends. The messages from so many of you helped me through this incredibly difficult time.”
Stafford became friends with Winchester when her husband Matthew Stafford was quarterback of the Detroit Lions from 2009 to 2020. The journalist and Kelly launched “The Morning After” podcast in 2021.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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