‘I’m a victim,’ Nevada Gov. Lombardo testifies against Michele Fiore in fraud trial

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Republican Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo took the stand Monday in the federal wire fraud case against now-suspended Pahrump Justice Court judge Michele Fiore in her fraud trial.

Fiore is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud.  She is accused of raising money for a statue to remember slain Las Vegas Metro police officer Alyn Beck and then using the funds for personal expenses.

Lombardo was the assistant sheriff when Beck and Officer Igor Soldo were killed in 2014. His campaign, “Lombardo for Sheriff” donated $5,000 for the statue in 2019.

Lombardo recalled donating to Fiore’s various political campaigns. They are both Republicans.

Fiore’s defense attorney, Michael Sanft, questioned Lombardo about his campaign funds and whether he told donors the funds would go to another cause. It appeared Sanft was trying to show that Nevada has lax campaign financing laws.

“I don’t understand why I’m being asked these questions when I’m a victim and a witness,” Lombardo testified.

Sandra Harris, an FBI forensic accountant, testified that one day after Fiore received the donation from “Lombardo for Sheriff,” a $5,000 check was deposited to an account Fiore’s daughter, Sheena Siegel, had access to. Siegel then withdrew money to purchase money orders to pay rent for Fiore’s home, Harris said.

Harris testified that similar transactions were made after Fiore received additional donations for the statue to pay rent, wedding expenses for her daughter and other personal expenses.

Fiore adjusted campaign documents approximately two months after she learned she was the subject of an FBI investigation, according to federal prosecutors.

Chris Armstrong, an executive vice president with Olympia Companies, a developer, testified that the company initially agreed to pay for half of the statue and then paid for the entire statue. Armstrong said Fiore was informed of this.

Fiore previously pleaded not guilty to the original charges filed in July and subsequent charges filed earlier this month. The allegations against Fiore date back to when Fiore was a Las Vegas City councilwoman in 2019, according to a criminal indictment.

Fiore most recently served on the bench in Pahrump Justice Court in Nye County. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline suspended her from judicial office with pay on July 24. The commission shall suspend a judge with salary while there is a pending felony indictment, per Nevada state law. Fiore’s term ends in January 2025.

Fiore served in the Nevada Legislature and on the Las Vegas City Council as a member and then mayor pro tem. She also ran unsuccessfully for the governor’s seat and state treasurer. Her political career has been peppered with controversy that included support for an anti-government movement involving rancher Clive Bundy, making insensitive racial comments that resulted in an NAACP complaint, and engaging in a physical fight with another city council member.

The government rested its case before noon on Monday.

As of Monday, Sheena Siegel did not face charges, according to court documents.

Siegel took the stand for the defense Monday afternoon. She testified that she helped her mother with charity and campaign work, she has no background in that type of work, and she researched laws for charity and campaign funds which she described as lax. Siegel is expected to continue testifying Tuesday morning.

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