A prominent pro-Trump Nevada politician was convicted on federal charges Thursday, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal, including six counts of wire fraud and a count of conspiracy.
Michele Fiore, a former state representative and Las Vegas city councilwoman who ran unsuccessfully for state treasurer in 2022, was convicted in connection with a scheme in which she defrauded donors who believed they were contributing to a fund for a monument honoring fallen law enforcement officers, spending the money on gifts for herself and on her daughter's wedding.
Among those defrauded in the scheme: Victoria Seaman, a fellow Republican city councilwoman who has also accused Fiore of violently attacking her and creating a hostile work environment.
Fiore was appointed justice of the peace in Nye County following her 2022 election loss but was later suspended from that role following her indictment. She has been a well-known figure in Nevada politics for years.
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While serving in the legislature, she proclaimed that cancer is a "fungus," said "hot little girls" need to carry guns on college campuses, and suggested pimps should have their genitals cut off. She also has ties to far-right militias and has proclaimed that if a police officer points a gun at you, you should point a gun right back.
The wire fraud trial saw damning testimony from a number of people, including the sitting Republican governor, Joe Lombardo, who was the Clark County sheriff when officers Fiore pretended to solicit memorial donations for were killed.
Fiore's daughter, Sheena Siegel, testified in her mother's defense. However, she not only failed to provide anything exonerating, but may also have incriminated herself on the witness stand. Presiding District Judge Jennifer Dorsey, who was apparently unaware of an immunity agreement Siegel had with prosecutors, went on to strike her testimony from the proceedings.
According to The Nevada Independent, each charge carries a sentence of up to 20 years. Fiore will be sentenced in January.
