by
Hank Winchester (WDIV photo)
WDIV's Hank Winchester, a consumer investigative reporter known for his signature "Help Me Hank" reports, has been placed on a leave of absence after police executed a search warrant at his Beverly Hills home last Friday.
"We at Local 4 have been made aware of an external investigation involving Hank Winchester," Bob Ellis, WDIV’s vice president and general manager, said in a statement posted on the station’s website. "As of this time, he has been placed on administrative leave. While the investigation is ongoing, we will not make any further comments."
Oakland County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Steve Huber told The Detroit News that officers provided support to the Beverly Hills Police Department, which executed the search warrant.
Fox 2, citing anonymous sources, reports that electronics were seized from the home, and that a man alleged to police that Winchester made unwanted sexual advances during a massage. The station reports that Winchester is currently studying massage therapy.
Winchester's reports often expose fraud and wrongdoing.
Winchester’s attorney, Todd Flood, issued a statement to The News:
"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."
Born in Troy and a graduate of Central Michigan University, Winchester, an Emmy Award–winning reporter, joined WDIV in 2001.
In 2015, when Ruth Spencer “Ruth to the Rescue” retired, she handed over the consumer reporting job to Winchester, his station bio says.
