Star Tribune Writer Resigns Following 'Ethics Breach'

MINNEAPOLIS — A Star Tribune writer has resigned after what the newspaper is calling an "ethics breach." Movie critic Colin Covert had worked for the Star Tribune for more than three decades.

In his work, Covert copied phrases used by other writers working for other publications, according to the newspaper. Editors said they first learned of the issue when a reader recently emailed about Covert using language from late New Yorker film critic Pauline Kael.

Employees later found other reviews from Covert that included "unique phrases" used that were originally written by other writers, the newspaper said.

The Star Tribune announced Covert's resignation in an article Monday evening. It is alerting syndicates and wire services of the incident.

In a statement, Covert said he's "sorry to say that through too many mistakes over the last 30 years I have compromised the Star Tribune’s meticulous reputation for integrity."

Read the entire announcement from the Star Tribune editors here.

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