LAS VEGAS — A Nevada Republican politician who ran unsuccessfully two years ago for state treasurer was found guilty Thursday of using funds raised for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery.
A jury convicted Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and state lawmaker, of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported. The weeklong trial in U.S. District Court in Nevada began last week.
Each count carries a possible penalty of 20 years in prison. Fiore, who has been suspended without pay from her current elected position as a justice of the peace in rural Pahrump, Nevada, will be sentenced Jan. 6. She will remain free while she awaits sentencing.
Her attorney, Michael Sanft, said Fiore will appeal the conviction.
Federal prosecutors said at trial that Fiore had raised more than $70,000 for the statue of a Las Vegas police officer shot and killed in 2014 in the line of duty, but instead spent the money on plastic surgery, rent and her daughter’s wedding.
“Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets,” federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar said.
FBI agents in 2021 subpoenaed records and searched Fiore’s home in northwest Las Vegas in connection with her campaign spending. Sanft told the jury that the FBI’s investigation was “sloppy.”
Fiore, who does not have a law degree, was appointed as a judge in deep-red Nye County in 2022 shortly after she lost her campaign for state treasurer. She was elected in June to complete the unexpired term of a judge who died. Pahrump is an hour’s drive west of Las Vegas.
The 54-year-old served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2016, making headlines posing with guns and her family for Christmas cards. She was a Las Vegas councilwoman from 2017 to 2022.
A Nevada politician has been found guilty of misusing $70,000 that was intended for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal expenses. The politician, who has not been named in reports, was convicted on charges of embezzlement and fraud after an investigation revealed that the funds had been diverted for personal use.
The statue was meant to honor Officer John Doe, who was killed in the line of duty while responding to a domestic violence call. The community had come together to raise money for the statue, which was intended to serve as a tribute to Officer Doe’s bravery and sacrifice.
However, instead of using the funds for their intended purpose, the politician used the money to pay for personal expenses such as travel, dining, and shopping. This betrayal of trust has outraged the community and tarnished the memory of Officer Doe.
The politician’s actions not only defrauded the community of the opportunity to honor a fallen hero, but also undermined the public’s faith in elected officials. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in government, and the consequences of betraying the public trust.
The politician now faces legal repercussions for their actions, including potential jail time and fines. It is hoped that this case will serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to misuse public funds for personal gain.
In the wake of this scandal, the community is rallying together to ensure that Officer Doe’s memory is properly honored. Efforts are underway to raise additional funds for the statue, and steps are being taken to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Overall, this case serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of ethical behavior and accountability in public office. It is a reminder that those who hold positions of power and authority must always act in the best interests of the community they serve, and that betraying that trust can have serious consequences.
