Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore faced new fraud charges and pleaded not guilty in court on Monday. These charges stem from allegations that she misused donations intended for a fallen officer’s memorial for personal gain. This is the second time Fiore has entered a not guilty plea in relation to this case.
The latest developments in Fiore’s federal fraud indictment shed light on the extent of the alleged wrongdoing. One of the key revelations was that Las Vegas Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, who is currently running for mayor, was among the individuals allegedly defrauded by Fiore. The court documents also revealed that Fiore’s daughter, Sheena Siegel, was the unindicted co-conspirator mentioned in the original indictment. Seaman chose not to comment on the matter.
Fiore did not grant any interviews following her arraignment at a federal courthouse in Las Vegas. However, her lawyer, Michael Sanft, stated that they have evidence to refute the charges against Fiore, arguing that they are driven by political motives. Sanft claimed that the defense has faced challenges in locating witnesses due to FBI protection. He downplayed the significance of the two additional charges filed against Fiore, both of which were related to $5,000 donations.
The new details surrounding Fiore’s alleged fraudulent activities have political implications, with Seaman and Governor Joe Lombardo being named as prominent victims in the scheme. Fiore’s trial is scheduled to commence later this month, with a pretrial conference set for the following week. Following the charges, Fiore was suspended with pay from her position as a Nye County justice of the peace.
The charges against Fiore, which include six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, revolve around the construction of a memorial statue for fallen police officer Alyn Beck. Prosecutors allege that Fiore solicited donations for the statue through her political action committee (PAC) and a nonprofit organization she managed. However, the funds raised were allegedly diverted to cover Fiore’s political expenses, rent, and her daughter’s wedding.
Federal prosecutors released a list of questions for potential jury members, one of which mentioned Lombardo and Seaman as victims in the case. They also disclosed a series of exhibits, including a payment from Seaman’s PAC to Fiore’s PAC in December 2019, followed by a payment from Fiore’s nonprofit to Seaman a week later.
Fiore and Seaman, who were once close associates, have a tumultuous history. In 2022, Seaman filed a lawsuit against Fiore, accusing her of physical assault and creating a hostile work environment while they were both serving on the city council. The lawsuit stemmed from an incident in January 2021 where Fiore allegedly injured Seaman’s finger. Seaman subsequently obtained a cease-and-desist order against Fiore.
During the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Fiore suggested that it was a ploy to prevent her from winning the state treasurer election, which she ultimately lost. Another significant revelation from Monday’s developments was the identification of Sheena Siegel, Fiore’s daughter, as a co-conspirator referred to as “Person A” in the indictment. Prosecutors allege that Siegel profited from the fraudulent activities and assisted in concealing Fiore’s actions.
The exhibits in the case highlighted Siegel’s involvement, including a payment she received from Fiore’s PAC in June 2019, the same day that Lombardo sent $5,000 to Fiore’s PAC. Prosecutors claim that Siegel was instructed by Fiore to use the funds to purchase money orders for rent at Fiore’s residence. Siegel also collaborated with Fiore in operating a nonprofit called A Bright Present Foundation, which allegedly solicited donations for the memorial statue despite a private company already covering the costs. State records show that the nonprofit was dissolved in 2021.
Previous reports indicated that Fiore’s PAC had allocated a substantial amount to her daughter’s event planning company. The intricate web of fraudulent activities involving Fiore, Seaman, and Siegel continues to unravel as the case progresses, revealing the depth of the alleged deception and manipulation. The upcoming trial will likely shed further light on the extent of Fiore’s illicit actions and their impact on the victims involved.
