On Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Pahrump Valley Times reported that the Nevada Supreme Court heard arguments concerning the suspension of Justice of the Peace Michelle Fiore. The state’s Commission on Judicial Discipline had suspended Fiore, and the court is now weighing the challenge to that ruling.
During the hearing, Fiore’s attorney, Paola Armeni, contested the jurisdiction of the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline. Armeni argued that the commission’s investigation was focused on actions that occurred before Fiore assumed her position as a judge. She further stated that Fiore’s actions as a sitting judge were unfairly linked to her earlier criminal case. Armeni also noted that supportive letters from officials, including Clark County Commissioner Tick Segerblom and former state Sen. Bob Coffin, were not adequately considered by the commission.
The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline initially suspended Fiore with pay in May, approximately seven months after a federal jury found her guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Fiore is currently seeking re-election to her Pahrump justice of the peace seat. In early December, she requested that the Nevada Supreme Court expedite her appeal to reverse the suspension.
The high court agreed to expedite the resolution of the matter in an order issued on December 22, but also denied a pause in Fiore’s suspension.
Fiore, a former Las Vegas councilwoman and Republican assemblywoman, was accused by prosecutors of defrauding donors. The accusations involve tens of thousands of dollars raised to construct a statue of a deceased Metropolitan Police Department officer, which was allegedly used for personal expenses, including rent, plastic surgery, and her daughter’s wedding.
Fiore received a full and unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump, which shielded her from criminal sentencing.
According to a December filing, Fiore argued that without an expedited review reversing her suspension, her re-election campaign would be “clouded by misinformation” regarding her current suspended status, leading to “imminent and irreparable harm” to her re-election prospects.
Therese Shanks, representing the Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, requested that the appeal be denied, stating that Fiore had conflated discipline with investigation. Shanks emphasized that it was only an investigation phase and that no formal statements of charges had been filed. She stated that Fiore had conceded that her felony conviction was a basis for discipline.
Shanks argued that the Commission should investigate that fact and that suspending Fiore is a temporary measure to protect the judiciary.
The court recessed after approximately 45 minutes without issuing an immediate ruling.
Source: Pahrump Valley Times
