Bill Kamal WSVN 7 Miami Weather Met fired after arrest

[logybogy]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/10011899.htm

Posted on Mon, Oct. 25, 2004

Popular meteorologist Bill Kamal dismissed after arrest

By PHIL LONG and CHUCK RABIN

crabin@herald.com

South Florida television personality Bill Kamal, arrested in Fort Pierce Sunday as part of a federal investigation of alleged sexual predator activity, was fired Monday.

"We have no other alternative but to dismiss Bill Kamal for cause.'' said Robert W. Leider, executive vice-president & general manager of Sunbeam Television/WSVN Channel 7.

The dismissal comes one day after the popular chief meteorologist for the WSVN-Fox affiliate is accused of arranging to have sex with a minor, police said.

Kamal, 47, of Miami Beach was arrested in Florida's Treasure Coast at around 1 p.m., when he showed up for a scheduled meeting that he had arranged via the Internet with an underaged male.

Instead he was met by a detective who arrested him, a source said. Kamal was being held at St. Lucie County Jail on state charges and could face federal charges, too.

Last November, the weatherman was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol. Police say they saw Kamal driving eradically in his black Jaguar.

Police stopped Kamal and called for a DUI investigator. Kamal failed a sobriety test and agreed to a breath test, which revealed a .153 and .159 blood-alcohol level, nearly twice the .08 legal limit. He was arrested and posted a $500 bond. The outcome of that case was unclear Sunday.

In 2000, he faced similar DUI charges when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper found his silver 1998 Corvette against a concrete barrier wall in the westbound lane of Interstate 595 near U.S. 1. Those charges were reduced to reckless driving.

The popular meteorologist has been with WSVN-Fox 7 for a decade. Kamal can be spotted broadcasting the weather during all of the evening newscasts. He went on the air more than 300 times during the recent series of hurricanes that hit South Florida this year.

[Sanibel]

This is beyond "don't ask, don't tell". Best for the political board from here on...

[Anonymous]

That sad excuse for a "human being" is extremely sick. I hope he gets a fair trial then gets locked up for the rest of his life!!! In the general population!!! Believe me he will be taken care of! There is NO excuse for this nonsense!!!

His life is utterly destroyed, and I sure as heck do NOT want him loose on the streets. Lock him up for life and throw away the key.
Darn good riddance!!!!

[hurrmia]

he was one of best weatherman during hurricane season but now he not he sick need help he lost good job

[dhweather]

Needs to be fried, not fired.

[Anonymous]

Holy Crap ! A chief meteorologist to get involved with all this criminal activity ?? Doesn't sound like an educated person - more like somebody on the "cops" show.

Unacceptable. He deserved what he got.

[frankthetank]

Even Meteorologists have a dark side. Although this is just plain wrong. Looks like he'll be forecasting hurricanes behind bars.

[sfwx]

There is NO cure for a pedophile. A long, long prison term protects children from predators like him. His final term will come on judgement day.

Eric