Donald Trump issued a full pardon to a MAGA politician in Nevada who was awaiting sentencing on federal charges relating to stealing money meant to honor slain police officers and used it to pay for plastic surgery.
Michele Fiore, a former Las Vegas city councilwoman and state lawmaker who lost a bid for state treasurer in 2022, was found guilty in October of six counts of federal wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the Associated Press.
Fiore, who has occasionally been dubbed “Lady Trump,” was out of custody awaiting sentencing, which had been scheduled for May 14.
Prosecutors say Fiore raised more than $70,000 to go towards building a statue to honor two Nevada police officers who were killed in the line of duty in 2014. But, Fiore used the money to pay for plastic surgery, fund her daughter’s wedding and pay her rent according to KLAS-TV.
“Michele Fiore used a tragedy to line her pockets,” federal prosecutor Dahoud Askar said.
In October a jury convicted Fiore after deliberating for just two hours. She lost her bid for a new trial last week.
The White House confirmed that Trump issued a pardon to Fiore but did not comment further.
Fiore, who does not have a law degree, was appointed as a judge in deep-red Nye County in 2022 shortly after she lost her campaign for state treasurer, the AP noted.
She was elected last June to complete the term of a judge who died but had been suspended without pay amid her legal troubles. Fiore says she plans to return to the bench next week.
