Fort Meyers Broadcasting Company (FMBC), the entity behind WINK News, has filed a lawsuit this week against meteorologist Matt Devitt who had worked as their Chief Meteorologist until January of this year. The company is seeking more than $100,000 in damages from the weatherman and also wants the court to order him to shut down his social media presence.
Devitt joined WINK-TV as a morning meteorologist almost 10 years ago in February 2016. He was promoted to Chief Meteorologist in March of 2021, a role he kept until his termination. Prior to WINK, Devitt worked for WSAV-TV as a meteorologist for the Savannah, Georgia station there. Before WSAV-TV, Devitt spent a year at KHBS/KHOG-TV in Rogers, Arkansas as a meteorologist there too.
On Thursday, January 8, WINK-TV fired Matt Devitt. At the time, neither the station nor Devitt elaborated on the cause for termination. Shortly after his termination, Devitt took to social media to write broadly about it.
“This decision was not one that I expected or agreed with and was not given the opportunity to say goodbye on-air. It was a complete shock to me, my family and fellow coworkers,” he wrote in posts on X and Facebook. “While this chapter ended differently than I hoped, I wish WINK News, along with my previous coworkers and weather team, the best,” he added.
Devitt added that he will do a “reset” during this time of transition; he wrote, “I’m taking a brief pause professionally to reset and be with my family. I’ve missed them and I’m looking forward to every minute. I’ll keep you all updated on what’s next.”
Devitt had a Facebook page with 1.2 million followers at the time of his termination; he also has a profile on X which has more than 65,000 followers.
After a firestorm erupted online by viewers upset by Devitt’s departure, WINK News General Manager Jamie Ricks sent an internal memo to newsroom staff with an update on Devitt’s termination.
“WINK News does not usually comment on personnel matters. However, recent statements by former WINK News meteorologist Matt Devitt have created confusion and prompted harassment of our employees, necessitating a limited clarification,” Ricks wrote.
“Mr. Devitt publicly stated that his termination was a ‘complete shock.’ That characterization is inaccurate,” the memo states. “Over the past year, WINK News and Human Resources met with Mr. Devitt on multiple occasions regarding off-air conduct. He received written warnings, was recently suspended, and acknowledged in writing that he understood continued violations could result in termination.”
Now, in a 60 page filing with the 20th Judicial Circuit Court in Florida, WINK News claims Devitt breached his employment agreement and engaged in misconduct while still employed at the station.
According to the filing, “Devitt repeatedly and consistently violated the terms of the Agreement, brought negative attention to FMBC, and otherwise violated his duty of loyalty to FMBC.” The lawsuit alleges that Devitt started another weather business while still working at the station and attempted to recruit colleagues to join him.
According to the State of Florida Division of Corporations, Devitt created an entity “Weatherview Inc.” in April 2024; Devitt is listed as the President and his wife, Elizabeth, is listed as the Vice President.
In the court filing, WINK is seeking a permanent injunction that would require Devitt to stop competing; they also want his social media platforms on Facebook and X tied to weather shut-down.
The court filing also describes HR related issues that popped-up with Devitt’s career at WINK, including an allegation that he participated in gambling during work hours.
The complaint filed by FMBC with the courts also alleges Devitt’s public statements led to backlash against the station, stating they resulted in “considerable public backlash and has even resulted in death threats against representatives of FMBC.”
After his firing, thousands of people rushed to social media to voice their criticism of the station and their decision to terminate Devitt. Among the 80,000+ reactions and 25,000+ comments, Stacey Krieger wrote, “They fired our lord and savior MATT DEVITT over taking a 2 hour lunch break to go help his wife with their newborn child.. you’re KIDDING ME. WINK News – the most hated news source in SWFL. Yall suck SO bad 🤣” Joanne Stainbrook Hall wrote, “Well WINK TV sucks for doing this. He’s the only man after Jim Farrell that I would ever trust with the weather; especially during hurricane season. Won’t watch Wink TV ever again!”
