'EMOTIONALLY EXHAUSTING:' Kelly Stafford's co-host returns to podcast after sexual misconduct probe

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Kelly Stafford’s previously troubled podcast co-host has opened up about being cleared in a sexual misconduct probe.

Emmy-winning Detroit television reporter Hank Winchester, co-host of The Morning After podcast, returned to the show on Monday after being cleared in the investigation that stemmed from allegations that he made unwanted sexual advances to a man during a massage in June.

In his return to the mic, Winchester recalled taking polygraph tests and explained that it was an “emotionally exhausting process” amid a “very detailed” investigation.

“There was an allegation that was made against me by someone and police have a responsibility in these situations to investigate allegations,” said Winchester, per the New York Post.

The reporter had his Beverly Hills home searched by police executing a search warrant related to the investigation on June 13.

“But they should also take the time to investigate the person making the allegations. It is kind of one of the lessons I’ve learned in all of this. And as a result of some action that was taken by the local law enforcement, there was a local media report that was done by one station in particular and that really kind of spread like wildfire,” he said.

Winchester was placed on administrative leave with Local 4 News, Detroit’s NBC affiliate. He did not name the local news report.

Fox2 Detroit — among other local news outlets that reported the allegations — said at the time that Winchester studied massage therapy recently. It’s not clear whether he was the one being massaged or serving as the masseuse.

“As a result, it led to a very detailed and necessary investigation,” Winchester said. “I say necessary because if it’s going to happen, I want to know that investigators had every opportunity to look at everything they needed to, which they did, and determine that in this case that allegation was unfounded, it was baseless, it was defamatory. And that was the opportunity now for my attorneys to come out … but I’m very thankful for that. And I’m very thankful to be on the other side of this — 100% clear. No charges. The evidence spoke for itself.

“But I will tell you it was an emotionally exhausting process as my attorneys revealed. I took two polygraph tests and passed them with flying colours and there was no detection of any deception. And I did that voluntarily because it was important for me to make sure the investigators had everything they needed. That’s pretty much all I can say about it … It just essentially comes down to not me saying thank you.”

Winchester is married to Oakland County Circuit Judge Jacob Cunningham. They share a seven-year-old daughter, Emma.

“This was the worst nine weeks of my entire life,” he said. “And I’ve lost both my parents, I’ve had testicular cancer, I’ve gone through a divorce. I’ve had s–t. Nothing compared to this because every aspect of your life is touched.”

Kelly Stafford — the wife of Rams quarterback and Super Bowl champion Matthew Stafford — recalled being worried about her co-host during the investigation.

“I do hope you felt how much you’re cared about and loved because you are and it’s because of the person you are Hank,” Kelly said. “It was honestly hard because for a minute there I felt like I couldn’t get a hold of you … I’m so f—ing glad right now. I knew this was going to be the end result but damn did it take awhile to get here but aren’t we glad that it’s finally f—ing here.”

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