After an instrumental witness in New Jersey’s Bridgegate scandal testified that he had been implicated, on October 5 Governor Andrew Cuomo publicly denied allegations of his involvement in the scandal. Governor Cuomo states that neither he nor New Jersey Governor Chris Christie plotted to close lanes at the main toll plaza, which created traffic jams in Fort Lee, New Jersey. Criminal attorney Barry Covert discussed the allegations against Governor Cuomo with WGRZ. The full story is available on the WGRZ website.
Cuomo denies report
David Wildstein, who has already pled guilty and is cooperating with prosecutors, said that the former Port Authority Chair told him that Governors Christie and Cuomo spoke about creating a report that would cover up the scandal. This report was never published and Governor Cuomo denies its existence.
Not enough for charges
“Cuomo is saying that there was no study, that he never suggested it,” said Mr. Covert. “But there’s enough here to get people excited about it. There’s certainly not enough to charge either Governor Christie or Governor Cuomo with anything. You need some corroboration that they actually conspired to issue fake reports to try to cover up what really occurred on the bridge.” Mr. Covert went on to say that it is possible that prosecutors had already looked into this allegation.
About Barry N. Covert
Mr. Covert is a senior partner in Lipsitz Green Scime Cambria’s Criminal Defense Trials and Appeals Practice Area. He is known for his aggressive representation of clients in the areas of New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals; driving while intoxicated; constitutional law, including First Amendment, civil rights actions, and federal False Claims Act; defending against allegations of scientific misconduct and fraud, research misconduct and fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence; and professional licensing defense. Mr. Covert frequently provides legal analysis for WGRZ and other media outlets.
