On Friday, October 25, 2024, the Pahrump Valley Times reported that Michele Fiore, the suspended Justice of the Peace in Pahrump, remains eligible to practice law in Nevada despite a federal jury finding her guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of wire fraud. The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline suspended Fiore without pay on October 21, 2024, following her indictment, but the commission has not yet made a final decision regarding her ability to continue practicing law in the state.
Fiore, who previously served as a Las Vegas city councilwoman, was found guilty earlier this month for actions related to fundraising for a statue honoring Alyn Beck, a police officer killed in 2014. Prosecutors allege that Fiore raised more than $70,000 for the statue but misappropriated the funds for personal expenses, including rent, plastic surgery, and her daughter’s wedding. The funds were not used for the statue’s unveiling in 2020, raising serious ethical concerns about her conduct.
Despite these legal troubles, Fiore won her nonpartisan primary election on June 11, 2024, by securing nearly 57 percent of the vote in Nye County. This victory means she is set to remain as the Justice of the Peace for Department B, according to Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS). Following her suspension, Justice of the Peace Kirk Vitto has taken on her caseload, effectively doubling his workload.
Fiore’s suspension with pay was initially enacted by the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline after her indictment. Her attorney, Paola Armeni, claimed that all Nye County commissioners supported her request to continue receiving pay during her suspension; however, Arnold Knightly, the Public Communications Manager for Nye County, clarified that the commissioners had not made a public statement regarding her pay status.
As of now, the commission has not reached a final decision on whether to bar Fiore from practicing law in the state. The commission holds the authority to take such actions, which is significant given that only three judges have previously been barred from practicing law in Nevada. One of those cases involved former Clark County Justice of the Peace Steven Jones, who was implicated in a high-yield investment scheme that defrauded multiple victims, leading to his eventual disbarment.
The commission’s process typically involves evaluating the circumstances of a judge’s case after sentencing has occurred. In Fiore’s situation, her sentencing is still pending, which means the commission’s decision may take additional time. Currently, the commission is prohibited from commenting on ongoing investigations, including Fiore’s case.
Fiore’s situation is not unique, as there have been other instances of judges facing similar ethical dilemmas. Washoe County Family Court Judge David Humke was barred from practicing law after admitting to violating judicial conduct codes, while former Goodsprings Township Justice of the Peace Dawn Haviland faced disbarment due to serious conflicts of interest and violations of law.
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline will eventually release its findings regarding Fiore’s case on its official website, www.judicial.nv.gov, once a decision is finalized. Until then, Michele Fiore’s future in the legal profession remains uncertain as she awaits both her sentencing and the commission’s ruling on her judicial conduct.
Source: Pahrump Valley Times
