A Nevada Republican lawmaker accused of duping donors into contributing tens of thousands of dollars for a statue honoring fallen police officers used the funds to pay for her daughter's wedding, federal authorities allege.
Then-Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michelle Fiore vowed the $70,000 raised by constituents would fund a city park memorial for two cops killed in the line of duty in 2014. Instead, authorities allege she siphoned the money into her personal account, not only using it to pay for her daughter's nuptials, but to also pay for political fundraising bills and rent.
Fiore, 53, now a Nye County Justice of the Peace, has been charged with four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to authorities. She faces up to 20 years in prison for each count, if convicted.
Addressing the allegations Thursday, Fiore said she was "deeply disappointed" to learn of the accusations through the media.
"Anyone who knows me understands that I take immense pride in serving my constituency,both as a former councilwoman in Las Vegas and as a Justice of the Peace in Nye County," she said in a statement, according to KLAS-TV. "I have always approached my duties with utmost integrity and dedication."
Fiore said the damning news has "profoundly impacted my life."
"All matters shall be brought to light in a court of law, not in the court of public opinion, where I first learned of my own indictment. Now that I have been accused, I eagerly await my opportunity to address these charges in court."
Fiore is scheduled to appear in court July 30.
