President Trump pardons former Las Vegas councilwoman Michele Fiore, who was convicted of misusing funds meant for a fallen officer memorial but claimed the case against her was politically motivated persecution.
Key Insights
- Michele Fiore was convicted of using over $70,000 intended for a fallen officer memorial for personal expenses including plastic surgery
- Trump issued a full pardon before her sentencing, where she faced up to 20 years in prison per count
- Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford called the pardon “a disgrace” and “a betrayal of fallen officers’ families”
- Fiore maintained that the investigation was politically motivated due to her support for Trump
Presidential Pardon Erases Fraud Conviction
Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore will not face prison time after President Donald Trump granted her a full pardon for federal wire fraud charges. Fiore was convicted of misappropriating funds that were raised to create a memorial statue honoring a deceased police officer. Federal prosecutors had proven she diverted over $70,000 of these funds to cover personal expenses, including plastic surgery procedures and her daughter’s wedding expenses.
The pardon came just before Fiore was scheduled to be sentenced. She faced a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count of wire fraud. The presidential action allows her to resume her position as justice of the peace in Nye County, Nevada, a role she would have been forced to relinquish upon sentencing. The case initially came to light during an FBI investigation into discrepancies in Fiore’s campaign finances during her unsuccessful run for governor.
Memorial Fund Misuse Details
The memorial fund at the center of the case was established to honor a fallen police officer. Current Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo was among those who testified that he had personally contributed to the fund. Prosecutors detailed how Fiore redirected these charitable donations away from their intended purpose. Federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar was direct in his assessment of Fiore’s actions during the trial proceedings.
“Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets.” – federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar
The investigation uncovered that Fiore had used the memorial fund money for multiple personal expenses beyond plastic surgery, including payments related to her daughter’s wedding. The financial trail showed a clear pattern of diversion from the charitable purpose for which the funds were originally collected. Despite the evidence presented at trial, Fiore maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings, suggesting the case against her was politically motivated.
Political Reactions and Implications
The pardon has generated significant controversy across Nevada’s political landscape. Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford issued a sharp rebuke of the president’s decision to pardon Fiore, framing it as an offense against law enforcement and the families of fallen officers who deserve to be honored properly.
“Donald Trump’s blatant disregard for law enforcement is sickening, and pardoning someone who stole from a police memorial fund is a disgrace. As Nevada’s top cop, I believe there’s no room for reprieve when it comes to betraying the families of fallen officers. I will continue to stand with our men and women in uniform.” – Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford
Fiore, however, has expressed gratitude for the pardon and maintained her position that she was wrongfully targeted. In a statement following the pardon announcement, she characterized the legal proceedings against her as an attempt to weaponize the justice system. Her pardon is part of a series of clemency actions by President Trump that have included individuals connected to the January 6 Capitol events and other supporters.
“Today, I stand before you — not just as 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… To those who weaponized the justice system against me: I don’t need to return fire. The truth already has. To my supporters who never stopped believing: this victory is yours too. Thank you for all your prayers.” – Fiore
Sources:
- Trump Pardons Republican Who Spent Officer Memorial Fund on Plastic Surgery
- Trump pardons Nevada politician who paid for her plastic surgery with funds to honor a slain officer
