Nevada judge who ran for state treasurer pleads not guilty to federal fraud charges

LAS VEGAS (AP) — A rural Nevada judge who unsuccessfully ran for state treasurer in 2022 pleaded not guilty Friday to federal charges accusing her of using funds raised for a statue honoring a slain police officer for campaign costs. politics and personal expenses, including that of his daughter. marriage.

Michele Fiorea former Republican Nevada state assemblywoman and member of the Las Vegas City Council, told reporters after her brief arraignment in U.S. District Court in Las Vegas that she wants a speedy trial and hopes to “address these horrific allegations head on.”

U.S. Magistrate Judge Daniel Albregts allowed Fiore to remain free without bail pending trial, which is scheduled for September 26.

Fiore read a prepared statement outside the courtroom and declined to answer questions about the indictment and her role as justice of the peace in Pahrump. The court hears criminal and traffic matters and small claims cases.

She and her attorney, Michael Sanft, acknowledged that she received documentation from the State Commission on Judicial Discipline on Friday.

The commission is required by law to suspend a judge’s pay if he or she faces a felony charge. Fiore is charged with four felony counts of wire fraud and criminal conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Each charge carries a possible sentence of 20 years in prison.

Sanft said he will represent Fiore in the federal criminal case and disciplinary commission proceedings. He said the commission did not suspend Fiore.

Fiore, 53 years old, was appointed to the bench by Nye County lawmakers in 2022 after she lost campaign for state treasurer. She was elected in June to complete the unexpired term of a judge who died last year. Pahrump is an hour’s drive west of Las Vegas.

Fiore served in the state Legislature from 2012 to 2016 and is an outspoken supporter of gun rights. She made headlines posing with weapons and his family for Christmas cards in 2015. She was a Las Vegas councilwoman from 2017 to 2022 before moving to Pahrump.

She also gained national attention by supporting rancher Cliven Bundy and his family during and after armed clashes between self-proclaimed militia members and federal police officers. in Bunkerville, Nevadain 2014, and at a national wildlife refuge in Oregon in 2016.