American “Covid conman” was captured being wheeled in court today, clutching an oxygen mask and covered with a green tartan cloth.
Nicholas Rossi (34) is wanted by the US government for sex offences. On Thursday, he appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
While being escorted by officers, the suspect looked almost indistinguishable. He demanded more relaxed bail conditions before an extradition hearing scheduled for May.
Rossi, who had previously been denied bail due to trying to evade the justice system, now wants police to stop unscheduled visits of his Woodlands home.
John Good, the solicitor for John Welsh, QC appeared before Sheriff Thomas Welsh, QC. He called them ‘oppressive’, and stated that they caused difficulties for his client. His client is currently receiving oxygen therapy after becoming seriously ill from Covid-19.
Rossi is accused of faking his death from cancer in the US to avoid being prosecuted for sexual assault allegations, before fleeing to Scotland – where he was arrested on December 13 last year after being admitted to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for urgent treatment for Covid, allegedly using the alias Arthur Knight.
A 34-year-old man, Nicholas Rossi, was represented by lawyers who turned down the request from prosecutors at a Thursday court hearing. Pictured: The man claiming to be Nicholas Rossi arrived at court in an oxygen mask, Fedora Hat, and pinstriped suit.
His figure was much more round, and he appeared almost indistinguishable when he asked for more permissive bail conditions before an extradition hearing that is scheduled for May
Rossi is charged with faking his cancer death in order to dodge a charge of sexual assault. He then fled to Scotland.
Rossi was escorted to Edinburgh’s courthouse by officers
Rossi’s lawyer claimed that Rossi was having ‘difficulties with the many police visits to his Glasgow house.
Rossi is taken out of court by police and reporters capture the moment he’s being pushed into a taxi.
After an Interpol tip, he was being kept on ventilators in intensive care.
After a hearing last month Sheriff Alistair Noble took Rossi into custody.
He was however granted bail following a hearing held at Sheriff Appeal Court last Wednesday.
However, he must agree to let police officers visit his residence at any hour of the day as a condition for his bail.
According to Mr Good, his lawyer, there was a ‘difficulty’ in the multiple police visits.
He stated that he was subject to an evening curfew of 6-8 p.m.
I have provided information to Crown concerning the number of police calls every day.
“The calls come in early mornings, later into the evenings and occasionally into the wee hours of the morning.
“I passed this information to make the order more flexible because of the many difficulties it is causing.”
Also, the solicitor told the court that lawyers could challenge the strictness of the order if it wasn’t.
Rossi, who was previously denied bail for trying to evade justice, is requesting that the police be barred from making unscheduled trips to Rossi’s home in Woodlands. Rossi covers his face with an oxygen mask as he takes a deep breath.
Prosecutors claim that the man who presented before Sheriff Thomas Welsh, QC (pictured), is Nicholas Rossi. He is wanted by the United States for an allegation regarding sexual assault
Rossi said to US media December 2019 that Rossi was suffering from late-stage nonHodgkin lymphoma. He had only weeks to live. However, several outlets had reported Rossi as having died February 2020.
Utah prosecutors accuse Rossi (also known as Nicholas Alahverdian) of fleeing from the US in an attempt to avoid being charged for an alleged sex attack in 2008.
It is believed that he also attacked females in Ohio, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
He was taken into custody by Sheriff Noble last month, after he heard that he was an ‘important flight risk’.
He is currently being held on bail.
Rossi arrived in court this Thursday on an electric wheelchair.
He was not at the dock but sat down at the table, where solicitors typically make their arguments and took off his Fedora Hat.
Utah prosecutors accuse Rossi of running from the US in order to escape prosecution for a 2008 sex assault.
Rossi (pictured above) has been accused of attacking women in Rhode Island, Ohio, and Massachusetts
The proceedings were opened by Mr Good, who stated: “I represent Nicholas Rossi and Mr Knight, as he prefers it to be called.”
Claire Kennedy, Prosecutor of the Crown, stated to the court that they didn’t have any objection to the Crown moving to dismiss a scheduled next week hearing.
According to her, a procedural hearing will occur in 8 weeks and a formal hearing in the case in 12 weeks.
Ms Kennedy stated that the court will establish the man’s identity, whether Nicholas Rossi is involved or not.
She stated that the identity issue would be addressed at the hearing.
Sheriff Welsh set hearings for April 2022, and continued bail to the suspect.
After the proceedings were over, Rossi was seen sitting in his wheelchair at court. The reporters asked Rossi questions. His face was partially covered with an oxygen mask so they couldn’t hear him. He wanted business cards.
After leaving the courthouse, he received help in getting into a taxi.
This case will be heard later in the year.