For one court hearing, former RI conman Alahverdian admits his identity. Here's why.

In a statement that seemed to catch a Utah prosecutor by surprise – and for a moment appeared to end Nicholas Alahverdian ’s years-long imposter charade – his lawyer confirmed his true identity Thursday in a Salt Lake City courtroom.

“Defense stipulates identity,” said public defender Samantha Dugan.

“For the purposes of this hearing,” she added.

In court parlance, to stipulate to a fact means it can be accepted by both sides without contention.

More: Dive deeper into Nick Alahverdian's story with these podcasts and documentaries

Alahverdian's admission pauses court proceedings

The admission, coming during a pretrial hearing in one of Alahverdian’s two rape cases, prompted an immediate sidebar conference between lawyers and Judge Barry Lawrence.

After, prosecutor Brandon Simmons said he had no further questions for the lead detective on the stand who investigated both 2008 rape allegations facing the former Rhode Islander.

The state was presenting evidence to show there was probable cause to believe Alahverdian, who is charged under his stepfather’s name, Rossi, committed the crimes.

Alahverdian faked his death and denied his identity

Alahverdian , 37, faked his death in 2020, only to be arrested at the end of 2021 in Scotland.

For two years he fought extradition, claiming that authorities had the wrong man and that his name was Arthur Knight, a former Irish orphan who found his way to England and sold books on the street to survive and ultimately become a Glasgow academic.

In truth, Alahverdian grew up in the Rhode Island childcare system. He never graduated from high school, though he often told women he met online of being a Harvard graduate. For a time, he became a familiar State House advocate for improving the state Department of Children, Youth & Families and enjoyed rubbing elbows with politicians and journalists.

But in 2017 he fled to the United Kingdom as the FBI pursued him for credit card fraud and, in so doing, he left behind a 2008 sexual groping conviction. The DNA in that case would later link him to the Salt Lake City rape, authorities say. And a woman in Orem also has told police he raped her in 2008 as well.

Case against Alahverdian continues

On Thursday, after hearing the testimony from the lead detective in the Salt Lake City rape case, Judge Lawrence ruled there was probable cause for the prosecution to continue.

“I find and conclude the state has met its burden and has presented evidence sufficient to establish probable cause to believe the crime ... was committed by this defendant,” said Lawrence.

The case was continued for Alahverdian’s formal arraignment on Oct. 17. Lawrence granted his lawyer’s request for a bail hearing that day as well.

At that hearing, Duggan said, her client would prefer to be called Mr. Knight.

“Alright,  Mr. Knight,” said Judge Lawrence. “I will see you on Oct 17."

Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: For one court hearing, former RI conman Alahverdian admits his identity. Here's why.