LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Michele Fiore, the former Las Vegas councilwoman and current Nye County justice of the peace, pleaded not guilty to federal fraud charges on Friday morning.
Fiore entered her plea before Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Albregts in a hearing scheduled for 11 a.m.
Earlier this week, a federal grand jury handed down an indictment charging Fiore with four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud based on evidence that she used charitable donations for personal gain during her time as a Las Vegas City councilwoman representing Ward 6.
Prosecutors allege Fiore solicited tens of thousands of dollars in donations with the promise of constructing a memorial to fallen police officers in Las Vegas. She's accused of pocketing more than $70,000 that she allegedly used on her own personal expenses, including political fundraising bills, rent, and to pay for her daughter's wedding.
WATCH: Steve Sebelius breaks down the indictment against Michele Fiore
Fiore's defense intends to submit an order requesting that some aspects of the case be sealed, they revealed in court on Friday.
Attorneys also noted their ability to exchange discovery may be impacted in the short term by an ongoing global IT outage linked to the cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike.
Fiore was released on her own recognizance as she awaits a trial scheduled to begin on Sept. 24.
She was also ordered to not have contact with any non-family-member witnesses outside the presence of legal counsel.
The former councilwoman held a press conference outside the courthouse after her hearing, reading from a prepared statement.
"I'm gonna stick to the script because, for you that are familiar with me, when I go off script I get in trouble. So, let's just not create more issues," Fiore said, before calling the allegations against her "repugnant."
"I have served as a city councilwoman and a judge with integrity, honor and respect. This indictment is a direct attack on my character. I look forward to learning the specifics of the accusations against me and addressing these horrible allegations head on."
Fiore ended her press conference with a bible quote, looking directly into the news cameras and saying, "No weapon formed against me will ever prosper."
WATCH: Michele Fiore calls the allegations against her "repugnant"
Whether Fiore continues to judge criminal cases in Nye County while this case makes its way through federal court, remains a question.
As she walked away from the courthouse, I asked, "Judge Fiore, what about staying on the bench while under indictment?"
She wouldn't answer that, or explain why she wants portions of the case sealed.
Nevada law says the state Commission on Judicial Discipline,"shall suspend a judge from the exercise of office with salary while there is pending an indictment or information charging the judge with a crime punishable as a felony pursuant to the laws of the State of Nevada or the United States."
Commission staff sent 13 Investigates the following statement:
"The Commission has been made aware of the federal indictment against Judge Fiore as set forth in recent news coverage. Pursuant to law, however, the Commission is prohibited from commenting any further regarding this matter. Please note that if the Commission takes public action against any judge, it will be posted on the Commission’s website under the 'Commission Decisions' tab and/or the 'Public Hearing Schedules' tab."
We're all used to court cases dragging on and taking a considerable time, but Fiore said that's not going to happen in this case. She promised there would be no continuances, saying she wants this done now and over with as soon as possible.
