LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — A former Las Vegas councilwoman and current justice of the peace in Nye County now faces federal charges in connection with an alleged charity fraud scheme.
The U.S. Justice Department on Wednesday announced the return of a federal grand jury indictment against Michele Fiore.
In a press release announcing the charges, a Justice Department spokesperson wrote that Fiore raised money to construct a statue honoring Las Vegas police officers killed in the line of duty, then used it for "her personal use."
The 53-year-old was a sitting Las Vegas councilwoman when she solicited the donations, the DOJ states.
She "allegedly promised donors that '100% of the contributions' would be used toward the creation of this statue,'" but "did not use any of the tens of thousands of dollars in charitable donations for the statue of the fallen officer," according to federal prosecutors. She's accused of pocketing more than $70,000.
Prosecutors allege Fiore instead spent the money on her own political fundraising bills and to pay rent. They say she also transferred some funds to family members, including to pay for her daughter's wedding.
The grand jury charged Fiore with four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count.
USA v. Fiore Indictment by stevesebelius on Scribd
The case is being investigated by the FBI's Las Vegas office, the Justice Department noted.
Fiore has reportedly been under FBI investigation for years. In January 2021, her northwest Las Vegas home was raided by agents who seized paperwork. In July of 2021, agents interviewed witnesses at City Hall. It's not clear, however, if those actions are related to the indictment.
Fiore response
In response to a request from KTNV Channel 13, Fiore released the following statement on the charges:
"I am deeply disappointed to have learned through the media that the federal government has indicted me for my service as a city councilwoman in 2019. It is troubling that I was informed of this indictment through the media rather than directly by the government," the statement reads.
"Anyone who knows me understands that I take immense pride in serving my constituency, both as a former councilwoman in Las Vegas and as a Justice of the Peace in Nye County. I have always approached my duties with utmost integrity and dedication.
"Now that these accusations have been made, I look forward to my day in court and have faith in our judicial system. I hold my oath of office sacred and have consistently strived to serve my community with integrity and to the best of my ability.
"This indictment has been years in the making and has profoundly impacted my life, the lives of my adult children and grandchildren, my friends and especially my constituents. This is unacceptable.
"All matters shall be brought to light in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion, where I first learned of my own indictment. Now that I have been accused, I eagerly await my opportunity to address these charges in court," the statement ends.
Political history
Fiore first ran for office in 2010, coming in second in a run for the First Congressional District. She was elected to Assembly District 4 in 2012, and served for two terms before mounting an unsuccessful bid for Congressional District 3 in 2016.
In 2017, she won a seat on the Las Vegas City Council representing Ward 6 for a single term.
During her time on the council, Fiore was appointed mayor pro tem but resigned after facing backlash over accusations that she made "racially charged" comments during a Clark County Republican Convention.
She also faced a failed recall effort, a Federal Election Commission complaint, and a lawsuit over an alleged physical altercation with current Councilwoman and candidate for Las Vegas mayor, Victoria Seaman. A video of the incident sought by media organizations was deleted by city officials, but an investigation found that both women played a part in the fight.
In 2022, she announced a bid for governor with a gun-toting television ad, but later switched to run for state treasurer, a race she lost in the general election.
Fiore was appointed justice of the peace for Nye County in December 2022. She won the June primary for re-election to that seat with 56.9 percent of the vote.
