Nevada Judge Suspended After Guilty Verdict on Misappropriated Funds
LAS VEGAS — A Nevada judge has been suspended without pay following a jury’s guilty verdict for misusing funds designated for a statue honoring a slain Las Vegas police officer.
Michele Fiore’s position was affected after a hearing by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, which took place last week. This decision was formalized on Monday with documentation submitted to the state Supreme Court. Fiore had previously been suspended with pay after her indictment on federal wire fraud charges.
On October 3, a jury found Fiore guilty of diverting approximately $70,000 from donations intended for the police officer’s memorial. Evidence presented in court indicated that she used the funds for personal expenses, including cosmetic surgery, rent, and her daughter’s wedding.
Fiore, aged 54, is a former member of the state Assembly and Las Vegas City Council. She was appointed as a judge in Nye County in 2022 following an unsuccessful bid for state treasurer and was elected in June to fill the term of a deceased judge. Pahrump, where she served, is located about an hour’s drive from Las Vegas.
While she is awaiting sentencing on January 6, where she could face significant prison time, Fiore’s former attorney indicated plans to appeal the conviction.
Fiore has also garnered attention in the past for her strong support of gun rights and alignment with states’ rights advocates during high-profile standoffs in Nevada and Oregon.
