By admin Attorney Michele Fiore asked the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline on Friday to allow her to continue receiving pay while suspended from the Pahrump Justice Court, despite her recent conviction in a federal wire fraud case.
“We are in the process of evaluating the case, but we expect that issues will arise that warrant both post-trial motions and an appeal,” said lawyer Paola Armeni, who was appointed to represent Fiore after the criminal trial.
On Friday, the committee meeting lasted less than 10 minutes. After Armeni made a statement on Fiore’s behalf, committee member Karl Armstrong said the group would meet privately to discuss the issue outside the public hearing.
“We will publish our findings at a later date, in accordance with the law,” Armstrong said.
Earlier this month, a federal jury found Fiore guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud for defrauding donors into thinking they were contributing to the construction of a memorial to fallen Metropolitan Police Department officer Alyn Beck.
Prosecutors accused Fiore of using her charity committee and political campaign to raise money, which she then spent on personal expenses such as rent, plastic surgery and fees for her daughter’s wedding.
Fiore, a former Las Vegas city councilwoman, was appointed to the Pahrump Justice Court judgeship by the Nye County Commission in December 2022.
The Judicial Discipline Commission suspended Fiore with pay shortly after she was charged in July. She has received more than $20,900 since her indictment, according to Nye County spokesman Arnold Knightly.
This is a developing story. Check for updates.
Contact Katelyn Newberg at [email protected] or 702-383-0240.