WGRZ 2 On Your Side recently reported on bail issues involving a man from Niagara County who was arrested for abducting a 17-year-old girl. WGRZ’s Ron Plants interviewed attorney Barry Covert to provide legal analysis for the story. In an earlier story, WGRZ 2 On Your Side reported on an Amber Alert that was issued for a 17-year-old girl from North Tonawanda. Law enforcement found the girl in the state of Pennsylvania and a suspect, Michael D. Mesko, was arrested in the matter. As a follow-up to the Amber Alert story, WGRZ reported that Michael D. Mesko was released from jail on a second degree rape charge just days before allegedly abducting a 17-yer-old girl in North Tonawanda. For legal analysis on this story; attorney Barry Covert was asked to address issues involving why the suspect was set free, the District Attorney’s rationale for skipping a preliminary hearing in sexual abuse cases,...
Read More
WGRZ 2 On Your Side has aired several reports on the latest news regarding how the office of New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo has handled nursing home deaths in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of their ongoing coverage, WGRZ anchor Scott Levin interviewed attorney Barry Covert to provide legal analysis for this story. As reported by WGRZ, the New York Post published an article that claimed Melissa DeRosa, the Secretary to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, admitted during a video conference call with Democratic lawmakers that they hid nursing home data so the federal government would not find out. DeRosa issued a statement regarding her comments during the video call, subsequent to the New York Post story. In his interview with WGRZ, attorney Barry Covert provided analysis on the potential criminal liability of the alleged actions of Gov. Cuomo’s office as well as the importance of the statement issued by Melissa...
Read More
WGRZ 2 On Your Side recently reported on an online video, which shows an altercation that took place at a private gym in Orchard Park. Buffalo area business owners gathered at Athletes Unleashed to discuss ways to address Orange Zone lockdown restrictions that had just gone into effect. As reported by WGRZ, during the meeting, deputies from the Erie County Sheriff’s Office as well as members of the Erie County Department of Health entered the gym and attempted to “break up” the meeting. Attendees of the meeting protested against the presence of sheriff deputies and department of health officials, eventually forcing the officials to leave the gym. WGRZ interviewed attorney Barry Covert for this story to provide legal analysis on the rights of businesses and individuals who are facing enforcement of New York State COVID rules. Mr. Covert stated “The owner of the premises was absolutely entitled to ask the law enforcement and the...
Read More
Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed by WGRZ anchor Scott Levin regarding the sentencing of a Williamsville pain management doctor who was charged with unlawful distribution of painkiller medication. Click here to watch WGRZ’s full report, including legal analysis by Barry Covert regarding details of the case and the 70-month sentence given in U.S. District Court.
CNN recently published a report regarding a legal matter in the Buffalo area. Attorney Barry Covert spoke to CNN about the case, which involves his client. The CNN.com report, which includes Mr. Covert’s comments, can be found by clicking here.
WIVB News 4 recently aired a report on steps that have been taken by New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown regarding police reform in their respective jurisdictions. Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed for the story to provide legal analysis on some logistical aspects of the new reforms as well as the potential widespread impact the reforms may have. Police Reform Legislation WIVB reported that Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a package of police reform measures into law in New York State. In an announcement on the police reform legislation, Gov. Cuomo also indicated that the state would withhold money from police departments that fail to reform their practices. The news story continued with a report that Mayor Byron Brown has set a reform agenda in motion to end racial injustice and police brutality. The goal of the reforms is to ease tensions between the Buffalo Police Department and Buffalo’s...
Read More
Following a statewide shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, New York State has begun phases of reopening. As counties in Western New York are on the brink of entering Phase II of reopening, businesses continue to assess how to address health concerns. In public briefings, Governor Andrew Cuomo has stressed the importance of all citizens wearing face masks when in public to help prevent further spread of COVID-19. This week, Governor Cuomo issued a new executive order, which allows New York State businesses to deny entry to customers who are not wearing a mask or face covering. As part of the ongoing coverage of the coronavirus pandemic, WGRZ 2 On Your Side recently aired a story on Governor Cuomo’s new executive order. Reporter Jackie Roberts explored the legal rights of customers and how this executive order may be enforced. Attorney Barry Covert was interviewed to provide legal analysis for this report. In WGRZ’s...
Read More