Lawyers acting for fugitive Nicholas Rossi who allegedly converted to Judaism received more than £40,000 of taxpayers’ money to fight his extradition.

Nicholas Rossi, also known as Nicholas Alahverdian, is wanted by authorities in Utah for allegedly raping a woman in 2008. He also faces multiple complaints for alleged domestic violence in Rhode Island. He denies all allegations.

Rossi’s legal team was handed £40,600 to pay for his solicitors and counsel while he fought extradition. 

Legal aid is a form of public funding given directly to solicitors or legal counsel which allows people to access legal help when they can’t afford it.

David Spencer, director at the Centre for Crime Prevention said the revelation was a “damning indictment” of a “fundamentally broken” system. 

He said: “Nicholas Rossi is a dangerous American criminal who has tried every trick in the book to evade justice for his abhorrent crimes.

“That such a person should be entitled to tens of thousands of pounds of British taxpayer money to try and wriggle off the hook is a damning indictment of a legal aid system that is fundamentally broken.

GettyImages-1504350179

Nicholas Rossi (Photo: Getty Images)

“Nearly every week now, there is a new story about vast sums of taxpayer money being spent helping serious and dangerous criminals.

“This money is lining the pockets of wealthy lawyers when it should be supporting people who need it. Legal aid reform is long, long overdue and this case is yet another that emphasises how badly that reform is needed.”

Rossi, 35, contested moves by US authorities to have him flown over to face legal proceedings after he was arrested in Glasgow in December 2021. 

He was being treated for Covid-19 at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital when he was detained.

After a long legal case, a Scottish judge ruled that he can be extradited to the US on rape and sex assault charges. Scottish Government ministers are expected to make a final decision within the next 28 days, the Daily Mail reported.

Rossi claims to be an Irish orphan called Arthur Knight, a victim of mistaken identity. The rape suspect was also accused of faking his own death to avoid prosecution.

Rossi has also had many aliases while on the run, including Nicholas Alahverdian, Nicholas Alahverdian Rossi, Nicholas Edward Rossi, Nicholas Alahverdian-Rossi, Nick Alan, Nicholas Brown and Arthur Brown.

Rossi allegedly converted to Judaism while in HMP Edinburgh, where he has been held since 2022.

GettyImages-1503374116

Nicholas Rossi is currently being held at HMP Edinburgh (Photo: Getty)

During a hearing in June, Rossi wore what appeared to be a black legal gown and a kippah. 

Questioned about his dress in court, Rossi claimed the gown was called a bekishe, an overcoat worn by Orthodox Jewish men.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Legal Aid Board said: “Legislation set by the Scottish Parliament allows for legal aid in extradition cases if the applicant is financially eligible, and it is in the interests of justice to make it available.

“Legal aid is paid directly to solicitors or counsel to ensure that a person can be professionally represented in court so the justice system can operate properly and fairly for all concerned.

“Extradition cases can result in higher costs because of their international nature but we work with legal teams to ensure these are managed effectively.”