Trump pardons Michele Fiore, Las Vegas GOP firebrand convicted of fraud

President Trump on Wednesday signed a “full and unconditional pardon” for Michele Fiore, the conservative firebrand and former Las Vegas City Council member who was convicted of wire fraud last year.

A jury found Fiore guilty of six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud in October 2024, for using money that was intended to go toward the construction of a statue honoring a fallen police officer for personal gain. Prosecutors said Fiore used the money on plastic surgery, rent and her daughter’s wedding.

Each count could have carried up to 20 years in prison, and Fiore’s sentencing was set for May 14. Her lawyers, on Thursday, filed a motion to vacate the sentencing date, citing the president’s pardon.

A White House official confirmed the pardon in a statement and said Fiore was targeted because of “her outspoken conversative views.”

“Michele Fiore, a former RNC Committeewoman and elected official from Nevada, made a name for herself through her outspoken and maverick personality.  A supporter of President Trump, she was also the first female Republican Majority Leader in the Nevada State Assembly,” the White House official said in the statement.

“Due to her outspoken conservative views, she became a target and incurred government investigation and prosecution.  She was convicted of wire fraud, but now she has received a pardon.”

Fiore announced in October 2019 that she would run to become the Nevada's governor. She then mounted a bid in March 2022 to be Nevada’s state treasurer. Fiore was defeated in November of that year by Democrat Zach Conine. Fiore served in the state assembly from 2012 to 2016. 

Updated at 8:10 p.m. EDT