Groups | Search | Server Info | Login | Register

Groups > nv.general > #277

Rural Nevada judge who once ran for state treasurer indicted on federal fraud charges

Cross-posted to 6 groups.

Show all headers | View raw

https://apnews.com/article/federal-indictment-fiore-council-judge-
assembly-nevada-0277d82858e747534898e3e9f0e9ac99

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada justice of the peace who ran unsuccessfully for 
state treasurer in 2022 has been indicted on federal charges alleging she 
used money donated for a memorial to slain police officers for political 
campaign costs, rent and her daughter’s wedding.

The five-count indictment against Michele Fiore, 53, a justice of the 
peace in rural Pahrump and a state Republican National Committee member, 
was filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas.

In a statement Wednesday, the former Nevada state Assembly and Las Vegas 
City Council member said she knew for years that the FBI was investigating 
but learned of her indictment through media reports. Fiore said the 
process “profoundly” affected her and her family, friends and 
constituents.

“I hold my oath of office sacred and have consistently strived to serve my 
community with integrity and to the best of my ability,” Fiore said. “Now 
that I have been accused, I eagerly await my opportunity to address these 
charges in court.”

Fiore is accused of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, crimes 
that each carry a possible penalty of 20 years in prison. Court records 
did not reflect when Fiore was due for an initial court appearance. Her 
attorney, George Kelesis, declined to comment.

The grand jury was told that when Fiore was a city council member from 
2017 to 2022, she promised to use 100% of the contributions she solicited 
to erect a statue in a city park to honor two Las Vegas police officers 
who were killed on duty in June 2014.

“Fiore did not use any of the tens of thousands of dollars in charitable 
donations for the statue, and instead converted the money to her personal 
use,” prosecutors said in a news release.

The indictment refers to an unnamed co-conspirator who is related to Fiore 
and traces checks that prosecutors said diverted money to pay Fiore’s 
political fundraising bills, rent and daughter’s wedding.

Fiore served one term as a Republican in the state Legislature from 2012 
to 2016, where she was as an outspoken supporter of gun rights and posed 
with guns and her family for Christmas cards in 2015.

She gained national attention backing rancher Cliven Bundy and his family 
during armed standoffs between militiamen and federal law enforcement 
officers in Bunkerville, Nevada, in 2014, and at a national wildlife 
refuge in Oregon in 2016.

In 2022, Fiore ran as a Republican but lost the statewide race for state 
treasurer to Democrat Zach Conine.

Fiore was appointed by Nye County lawmakers in December 2022 to serve as 
one of two local justices of the peace in rural Pahrump, an hour’s drive 
west of Las Vegas.


-- 
We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that 
stupid people won't be offended.

Durham Report: The FBI has an integrity problem.  It has none.

No collusion - Special Counsel Robert Swan Mueller III, March 2019.  
Officially made Nancy Pelosi a two-time impeachment loser.

Thank you for cleaning up the disaster of the 2008-2017 Obama / Biden 
fiasco, President Trump.  

Under Barack Obama's leadership, the United States of America became the 
The World According To Garp.  Obama sold out heterosexuals for Hollywood 
queer liberal democrat donors.

President Trump boosted the economy, reduced illegal invasions, appointed 
dozens of judges and three SCOTUS justices.

Back to nv.general | Previous | Next | Find similar

Thread

Rural Nevada judge who once ran for state treasurer indicted on federal fraud charges "Leroy N. Soetoro" <democrat-criminals@mail.house.gov> - 2024-07-22 01:08 +0000

csiph-web