Former Las Vegas Councilwoman Indicted on Charges of Misusing Donations

In a shocking turn of events, Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas councilwoman and current Nevada justice of the peace, has been hit with federal charges alleging that she diverted $70,000 in donations meant for a memorial honoring slain officers. The funds were reportedly used to cover personal expenses including her daughter's wedding, political campaign costs, and rent.

Fiore, 53, now faces four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as revealed in the recently viewed documents. The indictment stated that between 2019 and 2020, Fiore, who previously served on the Las Vegas City Council from 2017 to 2022, assured donors that 100% of their contributions would be allocated to erect a statue honoring two Las Vegas police officers killed in the line of duty in June 2014.

However, instead of fulfilling her promise, prosecutors allege that Fiore "converted the money for her personal use." The indictment further reveals that an undisclosed relative and co-conspirator helped in concealing the funds meant for the memorial by allowing Fiore to use them for political fundraising, rent payments, and even financing her daughter's wedding.

The former councilwoman is scheduled to appear in court on Friday, as per the documents made available. If found guilty, Fiore could face severe legal consequences for her alleged misappropriation of funds designated for a significant cause of honoring fallen officers.

This case serves as a stark reminder that public officials must be held accountable for their actions and that the misuse of public donations is a serious offense in the eyes of the law. As the proceedings unfold, the community will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how justice is served in this unfortunate situation.