Ft. Meyers TV: WINK Fires, Sues Matt Devitt

Fort Myers Broadcasting Company (FMBC), owner of WINK News, sued former meteorologist Matt Devitt Wednesday, alleging breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty for operating a competing weather business, gambling during work, and violating a non‑compete agreement. The station seeks more than $100,000 in damages and a temporary or permanent injunction blocking Devitt’s competing online forecasting activities and ordering removal of allegedly false or defamatory social‑media posts.

The complaint says Devitt, fired Jan. 8, ran Weatherview (formerly Matt Devitt Weather) while employed at WINK, recruited colleagues, and used company resources in violation of his contract. FMBC alleges one Facebook post by Devitt after his termination was “false, misleading, and/or defamatory,” caused “considerable public backlash,” and prompted death threats against FMBC representatives.

FMBC also accuses Devitt of on‑duty gambling, claiming he frequented the Seminole Casino Hotel and other gaming venues and was observed gambling “almost every night on his break,” according to messages cited in the suit. The filing alleges he served as an expert witness in legal matters without approval and formed his competing company well before his termination.

The station argues Devitt’s conduct threatens FMBC’s reputation and goodwill in Southwest Florida and could cause irreparable harm. FMBC counters Devitt’s claim that his firing was a “shock,” saying the termination followed months of HR meetings, written warnings and a suspension. The case will proceed through the courts.