Former Las Vegas City Council member indicted in charity fraud scheme

(The Center Square) – A former Las Vegas City Council member has been indicted for what the Department of Justice called an alleged charity fraud scheme.

Federal authorities said in a news release that 53-year-old Michele Fiore solicited donations to build a statue honoring Las Vegas police officers killed on the job.

"Fiore allegedly promised donors that '100% of the contributions' would be used towards the creation of this statue," the Department of Justice (DOJ) said . "As alleged, Fiore did not use any of the tens of thousands of dollars in charitable donations for the statue of the fallen officer and instead converted the money to her personal use."

According to the DOJ, donations were instead used to pay Fiore's political fundraising bills and rent. The DOJ said funds were also transferred to members of Fiore's family members and were also used to pay for Fiores' daughter's wedding.

While stating that an indictment is "merely an allegation" and reminding people that "all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty," DOJ said Fiore is charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

"If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count," said the DOJ.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) 's Las Vegas Field Office is investigating.