Nevada GOP politician found guilty of federal fraud charges

A jury found Michele Fiore, a former Nevada Republican politician, guilty of multiple federal fraud charges for misusing funds intended for a fallen police officer's memorial. Prosecutors charged Fiore with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and six counts of wire fraud.

Prosecutors claimed Fiore raised over $70,000 for a statue honoring fallen Las Vegas police officer Alyn Beck. However, prosecutors said she used the funds for personal expenses, including plastic surgery and her daughter's wedding.

Bank records exposed a pattern of transfers between Fiore's organizations and her family members, with prosecutors arguing the money ultimately funded luxury personal expenses rather than the intended memorial.

After a two-week trial, the jury deliberated for just two hours before returning a guilty verdict on all seven counts. Fiore’s attorney, Michael Sanft, said they respect the jury’s decision but do not agree with it and will be appealing the verdict.

“Typically when people are that fast, they’ve already made up their minds even before the closing arguments, so it had to have been some type of testimony that had occurred in the middle of the trial that caused the majority of them to say, ‘Oh, that’s all we needed,’” defense attorney Michael Sanft said.

Fiore served in Nevada's Assembly from 2012 to 2016 and on the Las Vegas City Council, with failed bids for Congress and state treasurer.

Fiore faces up to 140 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2025.

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