Developments surrounding Utah County Attorney race go from strange to bizarre

“An elected sheriff and his people are collaborating with a convicted sex offender, a person I'm prosecuting for rape,” said County Attorney David Leavitt on Friday. “They're working together to discredit me.”

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Leavitt's latest comments in a 2News interview followed his statements made Wednesday that Utah County Sheriff Mike Smith “recycled a report” in an investigation into old, “laughable” and debunked claims that Leavitt and his wife were linked to a “murder” and “cannibalism” case.

Leavitt called Smith a “QAnon cop,” and the county attorney said he's being targeted because he's been a “check” on police power, and has pushed taking cases to trial instead of reaching plea deals.

Even more strange is the alleged role of Arthur Knight, whom Leavitt said is also known as Nicholas Rossi.

Utah County prosecutors charged Rossi in 2020 with a rape that occurred 14 years ago in Orem. The probable cause statement said a rape test kit showed DNA swabs matched Rossi.

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On Friday, Arthur Knight — who said he lives in Scotland — held a Zoom news conference with Utah media.

Knight claimed he is not Rossi, has never been to the United States, let alone Utah, and is fighting extradition here on the rape charge — but seemed to have keen interest in the Utah County Attorney's race.

“Mr. Leavitt has continued to victimize me,” said Rossi, who spoke through an oxygen mask, which his wife said he needs after a bout of COVID-19. He accused Leavitt of “building a wall of bricks made of lies.”

Knight has been a prolific user of Twitter, with numerous posts critical of Leavitt and a website that also delved into the county attorney.

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2News reached out to Utah County Sheriff's Office on Leavitt's allegation that it's in league with Rossi/Knight.

“We are not collaborating with, nor does Nicholas Rossi/Arthur Knight have anything to do with this investigation,” it responded. Earlier this week, the sheriff's office revealed the investigation is looking into ritualistic sex abuse.

As if the circumstances could not be more unusual, Leavitt said an attorney he forced to resign from the Utah County Attorney's Office for taking Jazz tickets from a defense lawyer now “represents Nicholas Rossi as his defense attorney.”

Jeff Gray, who is running against Leavitt in the GOP primary on June 28, said Knight contacted him several weeks ago to help in his campaign.

“I couldn't understand a word he was saying,” Gray said, adding he thinks Sheriff Smith is “an outstanding guy” who “didn't divulge any details that involved David Leavitt.”