Feds: Fiore misused donation from Lombardo campaign

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – A now-suspended Pahrump justice court judge is accused of misusing a donation from "Lombardo for Sheriff," a campaign fund from when Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo was running for Clark County sheriff, according to federal prosecutors. Michele Fiore, indicted in July on a string of wire fraud crimes, appeared in front of U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer Dorsey for a pretrial status conference Friday. Dorsey scheduled a jury trial for Tuesday after Fiore previously invoked her right to a speedy trial. Prosecutors allege Fiore raised money for a statue for fallen Las Vegas Metro police officer Alyn Beck and then spent approximately $70,000 for personal expenses like rent, bills, and her daughter's wedding.

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Dorsey issued a decision Wednesday that the widow of Officer Alyn Beck could testify during trial after Fiore's attorney, Michael Sanft filed a motion to preclude Beck from testifying. "The defense has not established that it would be unfairly prejudicial," Dorsey wrote. Fiore previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges filed in July and subsequent charges filed earlier this month.

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The allegations against Fiore date back to when she was a Las Vegas City councilwoman in 2019, according to a criminal indictment. Fiore most recently served on the bench in Pahrump Justice Court in Nye County. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline suspended her from judicial office with salary on July 24. The commission shall suspend a judge with salary while there is a pending felony indictment, per Nevada state law. Fiore's term ends in January 2025. Fiore served in the Nevada Legislature, and on the Las Vegas City Council as a member and then mayor pro tem. She also ran unsuccessfully for the governor's seat and state treasurer. Her political career has been peppered with controversy that included support for an anti-government movement involving rancher Clive Bundy, making insensitive racial comments that resulted in an NAACP complaint, and engaging in a physical fight with another city council member. The jury trial is expected to last more than two weeks.