President Trump just granted a full pardon to former Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore. She had been convicted of wire fraud related to fundraising for fallen police officer memorials.
A Political Career Cut Short by Conviction
Michele Fiore’s political resume spans multiple offices in Nevada. She served as a Nevada Assemblywoman from 2012 to 2016, Las Vegas City Councilwoman and Mayor Pro Tem from 2017 to 2022, and was previously Nevada’s Republican National Committeewoman. In 2022, she won the Republican nomination for Nevada State Treasurer but lost the general election to Democrat Zach Conine by a narrow margin of 46.0% to 47.7%.
After that defeat, she was appointed Justice of the Peace in Pahrump, Nye County in December 2022 – a position she held until her suspension following her indictment last year.
Last October, a jury found Fiore guilty on charges of wire fraud after an eight-day trial. Prosecutors claimed she collected money from donors for statues honoring fallen police officers but used the funds for personal expenses. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before returning the guilty verdict.
High-Profile Testimony and Evidence
Among the witnesses who testified against Fiore was current Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo. As Clark County Sheriff at the time, Lombardo’s campaign donated $5,000 to Fiore for what he believed would be used for the police memorial statue.
During his testimony, Lombardo stated:
“I don’t understand why I’m being asked these questions when I’m a victim and a witness.”
The prosecution’s case included testimony from an FBI forensic accountant who traced the money trail, showing how donations were quickly converted to cash for personal expenses.
Evidence revealed that a private real estate development company had already agreed to cover all costs of the statue in question, an arrangement Fiore allegedly knew about as a member of the project committee.
Last-Minute Legal Efforts Failed
Just last week, Federal Judge Jennifer Dorsey denied Fiore’s request for either an acquittal or a new trial. In her motion to the court, Fiore had claimed she received ineffective counsel during her trial and that there was insufficient evidence to convict her.
In rejecting these arguments, Judge Dorsey wrote that evidence presented during the trial clearly showed that “not a dime of the money that Fiore raised was used” for the statue purpose.
Instead:
“each check was quickly converted to cash and spent on Fiore’s expenses like rent, cosmetic procedures, and her daughter’s wedding.”
A federal judge has denied former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore’s requests for acquittal and a new trial after her October 2024 conviction on six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. pic.twitter.com/QXPdNGNnHW
— Las Vegas Locally (@LasVegasLocally) April 19, 2025
Fiore was scheduled for sentencing on May 14 and potentially faced up to 140 years in prison. However, President Trump stepped in on Wednesday, signing “a full and unconditional pardon” that ended the case against her.
Fiore’s Statement After Pardon
Fiore released a lengthy statement after receiving her pardon, beginning with a personalized version of Isaiah 54:17:
“No weapon formed against me shall prosper.”
The original biblical verse actually uses “you” rather than “me.”
She described herself as:
“not just a free woman, but as a vindicated soul whose prayers were heard, whose faith held firm, and whose truth could not be buried by injustice.”
She described facing multiple investigations, grand juries, and even being labeled a “domestic terrorist” without justification.
She expressed deep gratitude to President Trump, saying the pardon represents:
“the restoration of a life, a reputation, and a mission long targeted for destruction.”
Fiore also revealed personal hardships during her legal battles:
“For nine months, I was suspended, seven without pay — a deliberate effort to break me, not just legally but financially.”
She explained that she sold almost everything she owned to keep paying her bills, saying:
“They tried to bankrupt me. I chose to break free. And I did it with dignity, not debt. I didn’t just survive their suspension — I turned it into a spiritual cleanse.”
Notable Silence and Political Connections
Interim U.S. Attorney Sigal Chattah, who reportedly sat behind Fiore during the trial, declined to comment on the pardon through a spokesperson. This silence is particularly notable since Chattah is still listed as the national committeewoman for Nevada on the Nevada Republican Party’s website—a position Fiore once held herself.
Fiore has long been a high-profile supporter of former President Trump. During her 2022 campaign for State Treasurer, she switched from running for governor after consulting with “Trump’s team.” Despite receiving Trump’s endorsement in that race, she narrowly lost to incumbent Democrat Zach Conine.
The Pardon Power and Limited Government
The presidential pardon power is a key feature of our constitutional system. The Founding Fathers included this power in Article II, Section 2, Clause 1 of the Constitution as one of the checks and balances against potential overreach by courts or prosecutors.
For those who value limited government, the pardon power offers both reassurance and challenges. The absolute nature of pardon authority means that no other branch of government can override the president’s decision in these matters.
Looking Forward
Fiore plans to return to her position as Justice of the Peace in Pahrump next Monday. In her statement, she declared:
“On Monday, I will walk back into my courtroom as the elected Justice of the Peace — not because man permitted it, but because God ordained it.”
This case demonstrates the direct impact presidential actions can have on individual lives and local governance. Whatever your view on this specific case, it serves as a powerful reminder of the far-reaching authority granted to our chief executive.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
