Kelly Stafford’s podcast cohost, Hank Winchester, returned to the show after being cleared in a sexual misconduct investigation.
Winchester appeared on “The Morning After” on Monday, August 18, calling the investigation “the worst nine weeks of my life.”
“I will let you know that there was an allegation made against me by someone,” Winchester said. “Police have a responsibility in these situations to investigate allegations. But they should also take some time to investigate the person making the allegation. That’s one of the lessons I’ve learned in all of this.”
A search warrant was executed at Winchester’s home on June 13 after he was accused of making sexual advances during a massage, which led to electronics being seized from the residence. Winchester had reportedly been in the process of studying massage therapy.
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 […]
Winchester explained on Monday that a “detailed and necessary” investigation was done, including Winchester voluntarily submitting to two polygraph tests, which he said he passed “with flying colors.”
“I’m very thankful to be on the other side of this 100 percent clear. No charges,” he said. “The evidence spoke for itself. But I’ll tell you, it was an emotionally exhausting process.”
Winchester said the arduous process was “overwhelming,” and that he largely stayed off social media and out of the public eye while it played out.
“It just drives you wild, because you want to stand on a soap box and say, ‘This is what happened, people,’” he said. “And you can’t. Because you have to let it run its course and you have to be responsible about it. But man, it is challenging in a situation like that.”
Kelly, 36, celebrated Winchester’s return to the podcast with a jubilant introduction on the Monday episode.
“I am so f***ing glad right today,” she said. “I knew this was going to be the end result. Damn did it take a while to get here, but aren’t we glad that it’s finally f***ing here?”
Kelly added, “Sometimes the comments and us texting you nonstop, that can get overwhelming. But I do hope you felt how much you are cared about and loved. Because you are. It’s because of the person you are, Hank. I want to make that very clear. You are one of a kind.”
Winchester, who also works as an investigative journalist for WDIV in Detroit, broke his silence about the investigation closing in a statement on Friday, August 15.
“I’m thankful this investigation is over,” Winchester 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.
He added, “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 greatly helped me through this incredibly difficult time.”
Oakland County Chief Assistant Prosecutor David Williams spoke out in a statement on Friday, too: “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. On the facts of this case, it was concluded there was no cause to file any charges against Mr. Winchester.”
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