On Monday, May 19, 2025, the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline suspended Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore with pay, reversing an earlier decision to suspend her without salary following her federal fraud conviction. The unanimous ruling by the seven-member panel was filed with the Nevada Supreme Court and follows a presidential pardon issued to Fiore by President Donald Trump on April 23, 2025.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Judge Michele Fiore,” with case numbers 2024-ADM-02 and 2025-108.
Fiore, a justice of the peace in Pahrump Township Justice Court, was convicted in October 2024 on seven counts of wire fraud related to her misuse of charitable donations. The funds, exceeding $70,000, were collected for a memorial statue honoring slain Las Vegas Metro Police Officer Alyn Beck but were used for personal expenses, including rent, plastic surgery, and her daughter’s wedding. The conviction initially led to her suspension without pay, as it raised concerns about her fitness to serve.
The commission’s recent decision reinstates Fiore’s annual judicial salary of approximately $85,000, acknowledging the presidential pardon that nullified her criminal conviction. However, the panel determined that allowing Fiore to resume her judicial duties would pose a significant risk to public confidence in the justice system. The order cited her ongoing deceit of charitable donors and personal financial gain at the expense of the memorial project as factors undermining the judiciary’s integrity.
Nevada law allows the commission to suspend judges with pay while ethics complaints are pending if their conduct threatens judicial integrity. The panel noted that new ethics complaints against Fiore, filed under case number 2025-108, have emerged since her pardon and will be addressed separately. These complaints could potentially lead to her permanent removal from the bench, despite the pardon’s effect on her criminal case.
Fiore, represented by attorney Paola Armeni during the commission’s hearing, had expressed confidence in returning to her role following the pardon. In a statement, she declared her intent to resume her duties as the elected justice of the peace, citing divine authority. However, the commission acted swiftly to maintain her suspension, ensuring she remains barred from performing judicial functions.
Paul Deyhle, general counsel and executive director of the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, certified the suspension order. Since Fiore’s initial suspension, Michael Foley has served as interim justice of the peace in Pahrump Township.
The case now depends on the outcome of the new ethics complaints, which will determine whether Fiore can return to her judicial role or face permanent disqualification. The commission emphasized that while a pardon may resolve a criminal matter, it does not prevent scrutiny of a judge’s conduct under ethical standards.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
