This article has been updated to include a comment from Michele Fiore

Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman and current Nye County Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore has been indicted by a federal grand jury with four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) alleges that Fiore raised money in a memorial fund to construct a statue honoring Las Vegas police officers killed in the line of duty, but instead used the money for “her personal use.”

In a statement, the DOJ maintains Fiore, “allegedly promised donors that ‘100% of the contributions’ would be used toward the creation of this statue,'” but “did not use any of the tens of thousands of dollars in charitable donations for the statue of the fallen officer” and, according to federal prosecutors, spent the funds on her own political fundraising bills, rent, her daughter’s wedding, and transferred some funds to family members.

“An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law,” said the DOJ.

After Fiore’s failed (but memorable) campaign for state treasurer, she was unanimously appointed as the Justice of Peace in Nye County in December 2022.

She once served as Nevada’s RNC National Committeewoman and was a former state Assemblywoman for two terms. From 2017 to 2022, she represented Ward 6 as a councilwoman in the City of Las Vegas.

During her tenure as councilwoman, she was sued by Councilwoman Victoria Seaman for assault.

According to Seaman, in January 2021, Fiore broke Seaman’s finger, grabbed her hair and threw her to the ground in the private hallway between the City Council chambers on the building’s second floor.

In 2020, Fiore resigned as Mayor Pro-Tem after reports surfaced that she had made “racially charged” comments at a Clark County Republican convention. A recall attempt was subsequently launched, but the organizers failed to gather enough signatures for an election.

Fiore responded to their failed effort by thanking her constituents and cited one of her favorite quotes by Mae West, “A dame that knows the ropes isn’t likely to get tied up.”

With the grand jury’s indictment, Fiore may be “tied up” in a federal penitentiary for decades.

If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the five counts.

In an emailed statement, Fiore told The Globe:

I am deeply disappointed to have learned through the media that the federal government has indicted me for my service as a city councilwoman in 2019. It is troubling that I was informed of this indictment through the media rather than directly by the government.

Anyone who knows me understands that I take immense pride in serving my constituency, both as a former councilwoman in Las Vegas and as a Justice of the Peace in Nye County. I have always approached my duties with utmost integrity and dedication.

Now that these accusations have been made, I look forward to my day in court and have faith in our judicial system. I hold my oath of office sacred and have consistently strived to serve my community with integrity and to the best of my ability.

This indictment has been years in the making and has profoundly impacted my life, the lives of my adult children and grandchildren, my friends, and especially my constituents. This is unacceptable.

All matters shall be brought to light in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion, where I first learned of my own indictment. Now that I have been accused, I eagerly await my opportunity to address these charges in court. Thank you.