Charges filed against Michele Fiore by Nevada judicial discipline commission

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline charged suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore with three judicial code violations, saying she should still face penalties despite receiving a presidential pardon.

In a three-count statement of charges filed April 24, the commission wrote that Fiore was convicted by a jury in a Las Vegas federal trial on seven felonies for defrauding donors by raising money supposedly for a statue honoring fallen police officers, but keeping the funds for personal expenses. The Las Vegas Review-Journal first reported the filing.

"The jury's guilty verdict creates in reasonable minds a perception that Judge Fiore's honesty, impartiality, temperament of fitness to serve as a judge is adversely affected," according to the filing written by Carson City attorney Thomas Donaldson, the special counsel to the commission.

The discipline commission investigates allegations of misconduct, ethical violations, or incapacity against Nevada judges. Penalties can include a formal reprimand, fines or removal from office. 

Members of the commission — a seven-person panel appointed by the governor, Nevada Supreme Court and State Bar of Nevada — unanimously decided last year that her apparent refusal to reimburse donors represents a "current, emergent threat to the judiciary" and opted to suspend her with pay. 

Despite the suspension, Fiore is running for another term and faces three challengers ahead of the June primary.

President Donald Trump pardoned Fiore on April 23, the day before the commission filed its complaint.

Following the pardon, U.S. District Judge Jennifer Dorsey vacated the sentencing date and closed the criminal case. Fiore failed to notify her donors and return the funds because "the specific purpose of their donations was abrogated," the panel concluded.