On Thursday, July 18, 2024, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore continued to preside over legal hearings, despite facing federal charges for wire fraud and conspiracy.

Fiore, a 53-year-old resident of Pahrump, Nevada, had been indicted by a federal grand jury in Las Vegas on July 16. Prosecutors accused Fiore of raising more than $70,000 for a fallen police officers memorial while serving as a Las Vegas city councilwoman, but unlawfully spending the funds on personal expenses such as her daughter’s wedding.

Still, on the morning of July 18, Fiore showed up at the Pahrump Justice Court in a seemingly upbeat mood, greeting others with a smile. Two legal matters were on her docket for the day. In one hearing, Fiore appointed a public defender to represent a man charged with driving under the influence. She cautioned the man that if deemed able, he would need to reimburse the state for legal costs.

In another hearing, a woman pleaded guilty to driving without insurance. Fiore told the woman she would dismiss the case if proof of active car insurance at the time of the traffic stop could be provided.

When given a chance to comment, Fiore declined through her courtroom bailiff, reiterating an earlier statement professing her commitment to upholding judicial integrity.

Nevada law calls for the automatic suspension of any judge who faces a felony indictment. However, the Commission on Judicial Discipline, which oversees misconduct investigations of judges, has yet to suspend Fiore. When asked about this, commission staff only acknowledged awareness of the indictment but declined further input.

Experts in judicial ethics expressed concerns about allowing Fiore to continue overseeing legal proceedings during her unresolved criminal case. One expert said this damages public trust in the judiciary. Others noted many states immediately suspend indicted judges to promote confidence in the impartiality and fairness of the legal system.

For now, Michele Fiore remains in her position as Pahrump Justice of the Peace. But with uncertainty around if and when she might be suspended, questions linger over how her ongoing criminal case might affect her role on the bench in the small Nevada desert town of Pahrump.

 

 

Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal