Weather guy vs. station: the messy fight over side gigs and broken rules

From Suspension to Lawsuit: The Last Straws

When a Southwest Florida TV weatherman was let go in January, he called it a total shock. But court documents tell a far less dramatic story—one filled with warnings, suspensions, and a mountain of conduct issues that accumulated over months before his final dismissal.

Late arrivals, sneaking out early, and using company equipment for personal branding—these weren’t isolated incidents, according to the station. Instead, they painted a picture of repeated violations that left WINK with little choice but to cut ties. Now, the battle has landed in court, where the station is demanding over $100,000 in damages—plus a judge’s order to shut down the weatherman’s competing business completely.

WeatherView Inc.: A Side Hustle Born in Fog?

The fired weatherman didn’t take the news quietly. Within days, he fired back with legal papers, claiming the lawsuit was baseless—and that he now has 40 days to respond. His camp calls this the start of a fight, not an admission of guilt, even as his company, WeatherView Inc., races ahead with a Florida business license and a trademark filed for "WeatherView"—covering everything from forecasts to social media posts.

The big question? Was this side hustle active while he was still collecting a WINK paycheck? The station’s lawsuit insists it was, calling it a clear breach of contract. Yet, so far, court filings haven’t shown proof of sales during his tenure—leaving the financial stakes—and his defense—open to debate.

Beyond the Forecast: Gambling, Memes, and Social Media Sabotage

The legal battle isn’t just about business. WINK’s filing drops a bombshell accusation: the weatherman gambled during work hours, with a witness even spotting him at a casino during a break. But the drama doesn’t end there.

• Unapproved expert-witness gigs that allegedly conflicted with his role.
• A heated Facebook feud with Publix after the weatherman claimed the grocery chain dropped the station’s hurricane guides. The response? A Grinch meme—framed by WINK as a deliberate smear campaign against advertisers.
• Social media spats that escalated into public threats, with Devitt’s statements after his firing allegedly sparking angry calls and even death threats toward station representatives.

The station paints a picture of a pattern of behavior that crossed every line—one that didn’t just violate his contract but risked their brand, their advertisers, and their team’s safety.

The Ultimate Demand: Silence and Shutdown

WINK isn’t stopping at money. Their legal request is all-encompassing:

• A permanent injunction to block all independent weather work by Devitt.
• Forced takedown of his social media channels.
• Protection for the station, its advertisers, and employees from what they describe as a legacy of reckless conduct.

With both sides digging in, the courtroom battle is just heating up—and the forecast for Florida’s airwaves is looking cloudier by the day. [/formatted_text/]