Celebrity Florida Weatherman Wants Court to Keep Gambling Records Secret

A celebrity meteorologist in Florida is hoping a judge will keep his casino gambling records sealed during an ongoing lawsuit involving his former employer.

Matt Devitt is battling southwest Florida-focused WINK News in court after he was unexpectedly fired earlier this year. The news station accused Devitt of operating a rival weather business, Weatherview Inc., while he was still employed by WINK, thereby violating his terms of employment.

WINK is trying to recover Devitt’s gambling records, which his attorneys argue crosses the line of personal privacy and is not necessary in the case.

Celebrity meteorologist in a gambling disagreement

WINK’s parent company, Fort Myers Broadcasting Co., accused Devitt of building and monetizing his competing business while working at WINK. Devitt contested this claim, saying that his social media accounts and personal brand were his, and WINK is trying to claim them as theirs after they fired him from his position after not taking issue during his employment.

Devitt rose to online fame for various reasons, including his personality and coverage of severe weather in the area. He has about 1.3 million followers on Facebook, 71,400 on X (Twitter), and 68,300 on Instagram at the time of writing. 

WINK fired Devitt on Jan. 8 after they’d worked together for nearly a decade, a decision that left the public scratching their heads.

“WINK tv owes all of us an explanation for what happened with Matt Devitt. Thousands of us have come to trust him, like him and rely on him,” former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich posted on X. “What happened? WINK owes all of us an answer.”

That still does little to explain the request for Devitt’s gambling records, which have more to do with how he spent his time — and money — while he was employed by WINK.

Casino records prove weatherman’s misconduct?

Although Florida’s sports betting operations are entirely funneled through the Seminole-controlled Hard Rock Bet platform, there are seven casinos and one racino for gamblers to attend in-person. These locations offer live-dealer table games, slot machines, poker, and other common amenities. 

WINK argued that Devitt’s gambling records would show if he was enjoying time at the casino during the hours that he was supposed to be working. If the misuse of company time was confirmed, it would support a broader allegation of inappropriate conduct in the workplace.

Devitt’s attorneys are hoping that the court will not force the famed weatherman to reveal his records. 

“[The request seeks] embarrassing information unrelated to any claim or defense,” Devitt’s attorneys argued, as reported by the Fort Myers News-Press.

Casinos frequently track customers and their data through rewards programs and accounts. Information that can be tracked includes visits, deposits and withdrawals, gambling turnover, and additional wagering details. The court may order Devitt to reveal this information if it is deemed relevant to the case. A decision has not been made.

The parties involved in the case will participate in mediation before a trial next year.