Florida station sues ex-weather reporter for $100k

WINK News in Florida is involved in a legal dispute with its former meteorologist, Matt Devitt, who is accused of establishing a competing weather business while still employed by the network. Devitt was terminated from his position in January and is now facing a lawsuit seeking $100,000 in damages.

On Monday, Fort Myers Broadcasting Company (FMBC) filed a 60-page lawsuit against Devitt and his new venture, WeatherView Inc. The legal action requests that a judge compel Devitt to cease his independent business operations and seeks compensation for alleged losses. An attorney representing the broadcaster stated that “the lawsuit speaks for itself” when asked for further details.

WINK News has not provided a statement to The Independent, while Devitt’s recent departure from the company has sparked significant public reaction. On January 10, Devitt shared on Facebook that he had been fired and expressed his surprise at the decision, stating it was not mutual. He mentioned that he was not given the chance to say goodbye on-air and described the event as a shock to him, his family, and colleagues.

Devitt is a well-known figure in South Florida, and his dismissal led to widespread backlash among his followers. The lawsuit claims that WINK employees have experienced considerable public criticism, including death threats, following the termination.

The lawsuit challenges Devitt’s assertion that his firing was unexpected. It highlights that there were multiple disciplinary meetings with Devitt in the months leading up to his termination. WINK General Manager Jamie Ricks noted in a memo included in the filing that Devitt had received written warnings, was recently suspended, and acknowledged that continued violations could lead to termination.

According to the lawsuit, Devitt was placed on a three-day unpaid suspension between November 3 and 5, 2025, after a disciplinary meeting regarding his conduct and schedule expectations. Devitt reportedly signed a notice acknowledging the disciplinary action.

WINK alleges that Devitt had a pattern of attendance issues, including arriving late, leaving early, and taking extended breaks. The lawsuit also includes an email between Devitt and a station leader that management claims was unprofessional.

Another allegation in the lawsuit is that Devitt engaged in gambling at the station and had a “gambling problem.” The primary issue in the legal case is the claim that Devitt used company resources to build his independent venture and attempted to recruit colleagues from WINK to join him.

The lawsuit states that Devitt’s creation and development of “Matt the Weatherman Inc” while still employed by FMBC violates their agreement. It requests a permanent injunction to stop Devitt from competing and to remove his social media channels.

The Independent has sought comment from Devitt. The publication notes that its readers are independent-minded global citizens who value real facts and honest opinions. In a fragmented world, communities appreciate news that is factual, unbiased, and trustworthy. Armed with information and inspiration, Independent readers are empowered to take a stand for their beliefs.