In a move sparking intense backlash, President Donald Trump has granted a full and unconditional pardon to Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and Nevada state lawmaker, who was convicted last year of misusing charitable funds. Fiore, 54, had been found guilty on six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in connection to money raised for a memorial statue of a slain police officer. The funds, totaling over $70,000, were instead used for personal expenses, including plastic surgery, rent, and her daughter’s wedding.
The pardon, signed Wednesday and revealed in a court motion filed Thursday to vacate her upcoming sentencing, spares Fiore from potentially facing decades in federal prison. In a Facebook post following the announcement, Fiore thanked President Trump for what she described as “justice finally served,” while also accusing the U.S. government and “select media outlets” of engaging in a decade-long conspiracy to ruin her life.
Fraud Conviction and Fallout
Fiore’s conviction in October 2024 followed a federal investigation that revealed she diverted tens of thousands of dollars meant to honor Officer Alyn Beck, a Las Vegas police officer killed in the line of duty in 2014. Prosecutors alleged that Fiore solicited donations under the pretense of building a public memorial, but records showed expenditures on luxury personal services and family expenses.
“Using a tragedy to line her pockets, Michele Fiore betrayed the public trust and the memory of a fallen hero,” said federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar during the trial. The FBI launched its investigation in 2021 after uncovering financial discrepancies in her campaign and charitable accounts. Agents subsequently searched her Las Vegas home and subpoenaed financial records.
A Loyal Trump Ally with a Controversial Past
Michele Fiore has long been a vocal supporter of Donald Trump and a high-profile figure in far-right politics. Her political rise began in the Nevada Legislature, where she served from 2012 to 2016. She later joined the Las Vegas City Council, holding office from 2017 until 2022. Throughout her career, Fiore gained national notoriety for defending rancher Cliven Bundy during his armed standoff with federal agents in Bunkerville, Nevada, and later in Malheur, Oregon.
In 2022, despite lacking a law degree, Fiore was appointed as a judge in deeply conservative Nye County after losing her bid for Nevada state treasurer. Though suspended without pay following her indictment, she was elected in June 2024 to complete the unexpired term of a judge who passed away. In her statement Thursday, Fiore announced plans to resume her duties on the bench next week.
Nevada Democrats Slam the Decision
The reaction to Trump’s pardon was swift and critical, particularly from Nevada’s Democratic leadership. Hilary Barrett, Executive Director of the Nevada Democratic Party, condemned the pardon as “reckless” and “a slap in the face to every law enforcement officer who risks their life in the line of duty.” She emphasized that Fiore’s actions, which involved exploiting the legacy of a slain officer, were among the most egregious forms of political corruption.
Legal experts and ethics watchdogs also weighed in, warning that the pardon undermines public trust in both the justice system and elected officeholders. “This pardon sends a message that political loyalty trumps accountability,” one legal analyst noted. As of Friday, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline had not commented on whether Fiore’s judicial suspension would be lifted.
Pattern of Pardons and Political Messaging
Fiore’s pardon is the latest in a growing list of clemency orders from President Trump, who has wielded the executive pardon power aggressively during his second term. On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned approximately 1,500 individuals tied to the January 6 Capitol riot. Since then, he has also extended clemency to high-profile figures including Silk Road founder Ross Ulbricht and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
Critics argue that Trump’s use of pardons reflects a broader strategy to reward loyalists and undermine federal prosecutors. Supporters, however, view the pardons as acts of redemption for individuals targeted by what they perceive as politically motivated prosecutions. With Fiore’s case, Trump continues to position himself as a champion of political allies entangled in legal battles—often at great cost to public institutions and norms.
