Walt Buteau is an Investigative Reporter who’s been visiting Florida since he was a kid, has family and friends across the state and now calls the Tampa Bay area his home.

His journalism career is focused on dispelling the cliché, “life is not supposed to be fair.” Walt enjoys the opportunity to track down that fairness for viewers to get them the answers they need.

Whether it’s exposing wasted taxpayer money, standing up to bullies in government or the private sector or helping veterans get their promised benefits, Walt enjoys the chase and the digging, and strives for results.  

Since joining 8 on Your Side in 2021, Walt exposed fraudulent government loans taken out in the names of Bay Area residents without their knowledge, broke several new developments in the Piney Point environmental disaster and helped frustrated veterans get VA benefits they earned while serving.

Over the years, he also exposed an ignored school bullying law that was obeyed after his report, prompted a local politician to give back thousands of dollars in a conflict of interest case and uncovered a fleet of government electric cars that were especially green since they were usually idle.  

Walt has also covered many breaking news events – from tornados in the Midwest and South, to Nor’easters and hurricanes in New England. He was in Manhattan only hours after 9-11 and reported live from the city during the following week. Two years later, he was one of the first reporters on the scene of The Station nightclub fire that claimed 100 lives.  

Walt has won several awards, including two Emmys, a Murrow and several Associated Press awards but he will be the first to tell you his best work is ahead, with your help. Like his days as a waiter in San Diego, he survives on tips. Reach out any time.

Even when he’s exploring and enjoying the many corners of Florida with his family.