Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas Republican City Councilwoman and Justice of the Peace, was found guilty on October 3 of conspiracy and six counts of wire fraud. The charges stem from accusations that Fiore misled donors by claiming she was raising money for statues to honor two Las Vegas police officers killed in the line of duty. However, the funds were allegedly used for personal expenses.
Fiore, 54, from Pahrump, Nevada, faced the accusations in a federal court, which concluded with a unanimous guilty verdict. According to a Department of Justice (DOJ) press release, Fiore promised that “100% of all contributions” would go toward building the statues. Despite these claims, a private real estate company had already agreed to cover the costs for one of the statues.
The case centered on Fiore’s fundraising activities between July 2019 and January 2020. During this time, she continued to ask donors for contributions, telling them that she planned to raise an additional $80,000 for a statue of Officer Igor Soldo, even though a statue of Officer Alyn Beck had already been completed and unveiled on January 31, 2020. The park memorializing the officers had been approved back in 2015 and officially broke ground in December 2018.
The indictment revealed that Fiore used donations intended for the statues for personal expenses. These included paying rent where she lived, covering costs related to her daughter’s wedding, and funding her political campaign. Fiore’s actions involved directing her staff to purchase money orders with the donors’ contributions, converting the charitable funds into personal use.
The jury took less than two hours to reach their verdict, convicting Fiore on all seven counts. Fiore’s attorney criticized the quick decision, suggesting that the jury “had already made up their minds even before closing arguments.” In response to her conviction, Fiore stated, “We are still in it,” indicating her intention to continue fighting the charges. She also expressed frustration, claiming she had more to say to the judge but was not permitted to do so.
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Several prominent figures testified during the trial, including Nevada’s Republican Governor, Joe Lombardo, and various business leaders. Fiore’s daughter, who was named as a co-conspirator in the indictment, also took the stand in her mother’s defense, but her testimony was ultimately stricken from the record. Prosecutors did not comment publicly on the outcome of the case.
Fiore remains free until her sentencing hearing, scheduled for January 6, 2025. However, prosecutors have requested that she be placed under electronic monitoring as she awaits sentencing. The former councilwoman faces a maximum penalty of 20 years for each of the seven counts in her conviction, which could result in a lengthy prison term.
The verdict marks a significant downfall for Fiore, who once held a prominent role in Las Vegas politics and law enforcement. The charges against her have drawn public scrutiny, especially given the emotional weight of the memorial project that involved honoring officers who died in the line of duty. The DOJ press release emphasized the serious nature of the charges and the breach of public trust in this case.