LAS VEGAS — In a remarkable turn of events, a Nevada Republican politician has been pardoned by President Donald Trump, sparking discussions and controversy. Michele Fiore, a former city councilwoman in Las Vegas and a state lawmaker, faced federal charges related to misuse of funds designated for a memorial statue to honor a police officer. The charges included six counts of federal wire fraud along with a conspiracy charge, stemming from allegations that Fiore diverted these funds for personal expenses such as cosmetic surgery. Sentencing was originally set for next month, but with the pardon, Fiore will avoid potential prison time.
On social media, Fiore expressed her gratitude towards President Trump for granting the pardon. In a detailed post on Facebook, she voiced her accusations against the U.S. government and media entities, suggesting they were involved in efforts to undermine her over the past decade. Despite receiving the pardon, the White House has not issued further comments on the motivation behind this decision.
This pardon follows a recent legal setback for Fiore, who had been denied a new trial just days before. Evidence presented in court revealed that she had raised over $70,000 aimed at creating a statue for a Las Vegas officer killed in the line of duty in 2014. However, authorities discovered the funds were misappropriated for personal expenses, sparking harsh criticism from the prosecution. “Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets,” asserted federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar.
Later developments saw FBI agents investigating Fiore’s campaign finances, leading to subpoenas and searches of her Las Vegas residence in 2021. The reaction from Nevada’s political scene was mixed, with Nevada Democratic Party Executive Director Hilary Barrett labeling the pardon as “reckless,” indicating it dishonored law enforcement officers.
Despite not holding a law degree, Fiore assumed a judicial role in Nye County in 2022, following her unsuccessful bid for state treasurer. Her legal entanglements led to her suspension without pay, although she was elected to fill the unexpired term of a deceased judge. Nye County officials are currently awaiting direction from the state Commission on Judicial Discipline regarding her status, following the pardon. Commission representatives confirmed their awareness of Fiore’s pardon but refrained from commenting further.
Throughout her political tenure from 2012 to 2016 in the state Legislature, and from 2017 to 2022 on the Las Vegas City Council, Fiore was known as a staunch Trump supporter. Her notoriety grew for her support of rancher Cliven Bundy and his family during confrontations between armed militia groups and federal officers in Bunkerville, Nevada, and Malheur, Oregon.