That picture surely suggests otherwise. Maybe the edge of the valve covers is just wedged under that lip of the intake.....but it IS under it. Regardless, it sounds like you're going to have to remove the intake anyway.
It's also possible he did exactly as stated, but the cover wedged in there and upset something. Those bolts are such a PITA to tighten.. I have a handful of spare wrenches I bent, cut, and ground to help R&R manifolds and I still hate it!
