Nicholas Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian in the United States, is a controversial figure with a complex history marked by allegations of sexual assault, fraud, and attempts to evade justice.
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His life story intertwines claims of abuse, legal battles, and dramatic attempts to escape his past, including faking his own death.
Biography
Nicholas Alahverdian’s early life was tumultuous. He claimed his parents were abusive, leading to his placement in the care of the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).
Diagnosed with behavioral and mental health issues, he spent time in psychiatric care and various youth facilities. Despite these challenges, he worked as a legislative page in the Rhode Island House of Representatives at age 14, where he attempted to advocate for child welfare reforms.
Alahverdian’s claims about his mistreatment in the DCYF system and his efforts to bring about legislative changes gained him some sympathy and attention. However, his narrative took darker turns as allegations of his manipulative and abusive behavior surfaced.
Legal Issues and Controversies
In 2008, under the name Nicholas Rossi, he was convicted of public indecency and sexual imposition after an incident at Sinclair Community College in Ohio.
He allegedly groped a woman and masturbated in front of her. He was required to register as a sex offender and faced multiple legal battles trying to overturn this conviction.
Domestic Assault and Marital Problems
Alahverdian’s personal life was also marred by legal issues. In 2010, he pleaded no contest to domestic assault following an incident where he physically abused his wife.
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His tumultuous marriages ended in divorce, with accusations of neglect, cruelty, and financial manipulation.
Fraud Investigations
Before faking his death, Alahverdian was under investigation by the FBI for fraud. His former foster mother accused him of opening multiple credit cards in her husband’s name, amassing significant debt.
Alahverdian allegedly posed as a marketing expert to defraud a Canadian businesswoman, further adding to his long list of alleged deceptions.
Sexual Assault Investigations
In 2017, Utah investigators identified his DNA in a backlog of untested sexual assault kits, linking him to a 2008 rape case. This led to a sealed arrest warrant in 2020. Additional reports from various states depicted a consistent pattern of predatory behavior and sexual assaults.
Faked Death and Arrest
In early 2020, Alahverdian reported having non-Hodgkin lymphoma and announced his death in February of that year. However, suspicions arose when his former foster mother and others doubted the authenticity of his death.
Arrest in Scotland
In December 2021, Alahverdian was arrested in Glasgow, Scotland, under the name Arthur Knight, while being treated for COVID-19. He was identified through his fingerprints and tattoos.
Despite his claims of mistaken identity, he faced extradition to the U.S. to answer for the 2008 rape charges in Utah.
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