NATIONAL NEWS

Nevada politician guilty of using $70,000 meant for statue of slain officer for personal costs

Oct 3, 2024, 8:20 PM

FILE - Michele Fiore participates in a debate in Henderson, Nev., April 26, 2016. Fiore, a former N...

FILE - Michele Fiore participates in a debate in Henderson, Nev., April 26, 2016. Fiore, a former Nevada state Assembly and Las Vegas City Council member who made a failed bid for state treasurer and is now a judge in Nye County has been indicted Tuesday, July 16, 2024, on federal charges alleging she used money donated to memorialize slain police officers for political campaign costs, rent and her daughter’s wedding. (AP Photo/John Locher, File)

(AP Photo/John Locher, File)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A Nevada Republican politician who ran unsuccessfully two years ago for state treasurer was found guilty Thursday of using funds raised for a statue honoring a slain police officer for personal costs, including plastic surgery.

A jury convicted Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and state lawmaker, of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, KLAS-TV in Las Vegas reported. The weeklong trial in U.S. District Court in Nevada began last week.

Each count carries a possible penalty of 20 years in prison. Fiore, who has been suspended without pay from her current elected position as a justice of the peace in rural Pahrump, Nevada, will be sentenced Jan. 6. She will remain free while she awaits sentencing.

Her attorney, Michael Sanft, said Fiore will appeal the conviction.

Federal prosecutors said at trial that Fiore had raised more than $70,000 for the statue of a Las Vegas police officer shot and killed in 2014 in the line of duty, but instead spent the money on plastic surgery, rent and her daughter’s wedding.

“Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets,” federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar said.

FBI agents in 2021 subpoenaed records and searched Fiore’s home in northwest Las Vegas in connection with her campaign spending. Sanft told the jury that the FBI’s investigation was “sloppy.”

Fiore, who does not have a law degree, was appointed as a judge in deep-red Nye County in 2022 shortly after she lost her campaign for state treasurer. She was elected in June to complete the unexpired term of a judge who died. Pahrump is an hour’s drive west of Las Vegas.

The 54-year-old served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2016, making headlines posing with guns and her family for Christmas cards. She was a Las Vegas councilwoman from 2017 to 2022.

KSL 5 TV Live

National News

Tulsi Gabbard, President Donald Trump's choice to be the Director of National Intelligence, arrives...

David Klepper, Associated Press

Senate confirms Gabbard as Trump’s director of national intelligence after Republicans fall in line

The Senate has confirmed Tulsi Gabbard as President Donald Trump’s director of national intelligence.

25 minutes ago

Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump speaks with reporters in the Oval Office at the White H...

David Bauder, AP Media Writer

White House bars AP reporter from Oval Office because of AP style policy on ‘Gulf of America’

The White House blocked an Associated Press reporter from attending an event in the Oval Office after demanding AP alter its style on the Gulf of Mexico, which President Donald Trump has ordered renamed to the Gulf of America.

3 hours ago

President Donald Trump, accompanied by Marc Fogel, speaks in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the W...

Chris Megerian and Eric Tucker, Associated Press

Russia releases imprisoned American Marc Fogel in what US calls a step toward the end of Ukraine war

A Pennsylvania schoolteacher who's back on American soil after his release from Russia has spoken to his wife, his two children and his 95-year-old mother.

3 hours ago

The site of the 1956 Cortina Winter Olympic Games’ speed skating venue, Lake Misurina sits at 5,7...

Keira Farrimond and Alex Cabrero, KSL TV

The evolution of speed skating ice: From natural lakes to high-tech oval

How Italy's Lake Misurina, the last natural ice Olympic speed skating venue from 1956 set the stage for record-breaking performances and explore the evolution to modern artificial ice rinks like Utah's Olympic Oval, the 'Fastest Ice on Earth.

15 hours ago

Flowers and a sign are placed outside the headquarters of the U.S. Agency for International Develop...

Ellen Knickmeyer, Associated Press

White House fires USAID inspector general after warning about funding oversight, officials say

The White House fired the inspector general for the U.S. Agency for International Development on Tuesday, several U.S. officials said.

17 hours ago

A Google map now shows the Gulf of America....

Josh Campbell, CNN

‘Gulf of America’ arrives on Google Maps

The body of water formerly known in the United States as the Gulf of Mexico is now listed for US-based users of Google Maps as the Gulf of America.

24 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

luxury living room with a classic white sofa and sofa, interior design...

Lighting Design

Revisiting home lighting trends for 2025

Looking for inspiration to revamp your home lighting? This article outlines some of the emerging lighting trends for 2025.

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

Nevada politician guilty of using $70,000 meant for statue of slain officer for personal costs