WVON’s program manager placed on leave

A phone call from a listener sparks investigation

As first reported by Crain’s Chicago Business Friday afternoon, the program manager for Midway Broadcasting’s Black news/talk WVON-AM (1690) has been placed on administrative leave pending the official outcome of an investigation over his status as a registered sex offender. 

The person’s name is Devin Randle, a 56-year old who was listed as a sex offender on the Illinois State Police’s website, charged and convicted of aggressive sexual assault. A caller tipped the station on the news and began an immediate investigation. In a terse statement, WVON did say it has suspended its program manager due to “a 20-year-old impropriety which has recently come to light”, but did not name him. However, the attorney for the station’s parent company did confirm the person was Randle. 

Aside from saying he was under contract to Midway, Randle declined comment to Crain’s. For the time being, WVON board manager Titus Williams is handling program manager duties. It is not known if Randle is being paid during his suspension.

Randle was hired at WVON in 2017, and was promoted to program manager this year. It appears WVON officials failed to conduct a proper background check into Randle’s status as a registered sex offender as it appears Randle declined to disclose this information when he applied for employment at the station. Either way, it’s not a good look for WVON, and even though he is under contract, Randle’s time at the station is likely over. 

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