{"id":2300730,"date":"2024-07-19T10:14:01","date_gmt":"2024-07-19T14:14:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/former-las-vegas-city-council-member-indicted-in-charity-fraud-scheme-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-07-19T10:16:51","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T14:16:51","slug":"ex-las-vegas-city-council-member-charged-in-charity-fraud-scheme-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ex-las-vegas-city-council-member-charged-in-charity-fraud-scheme-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-Las Vegas City Council member charged in charity fraud scheme &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">26<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fex-las-vegas-city-council-member-charged-in-charity-fraud-scheme-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2300730&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A former Las Vegas City Council member, Michele Fiore, has been indicted for\u2064 an alleged charity fraud scheme involving soliciting \u2062donations to build a statue \u2064honoring Las Vegas police officers killed on the job. Federal authorities stated that Fiore promised donors that \u2064100% of their\u200c contributions would go towards \u200dthe statue, but instead\u200b used the funds for personal expenses. Fiore is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/ark-man-confesses-to-breaching-capitol\/\" title=\"Ark. man confesses to breaching Capitol\">facing multiple charges<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rep-santos-pleads-not-guilty-to-new-fraud-charges\/\" title=\"Rep. Santos denies new fraud charges.\">including wire\u2064 fraud<\/a>, conspiracy to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-president-trump-gives-pardons-to-73-individuals-and-commutes-another-70-sentences-steve-bannon-is-included\/\" title=\"BREAKING: President Trump Gives Pardons to 73 Individuals and Commutes Another 70 Sentences \u2013 Steve Bannon Is Included\">commit <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/president-trump-please-pardon-jon-woods-a-victim-of-process-crimes-like-michael-flynn\/\" title=\"President Trump, Please Pardon Jon Woods, a Victim of Process Crimes Like Michael Flynn\">wire fraud<\/a><\/a>, and money laundering. If convicted, she could face significant \u2062fines and\u2062 a lengthy prison sentence.<\/p>\n<p>The indictment alleges that\u2063 Fiore and her co-conspirators created a fake\u200b charity, called &#8220;Veterans Village Las Vegas,&#8221; to solicit donations for the statue project. They reportedly\u200c used the charity&#8217;s bank account to pay for personal \u2064expenses, including Fiore&#8217;s rent \u200dand credit card bills.<\/p>\n<p>Authorities began investigating Fiore \u200bafter receiving\u2064 complaints\u2062 from donors\u2064 who had\u200b not seen any progress on the statue project despite making significant contributions. The indictment also accuses Fiore \u200bof providing false\u2064 information to donors about the \u200dproject&#8217;s status and using fake invoices to cover\u200d up the misuse of funds.<\/p>\n<p>Fiore has denied the allegations \u200dand maintains her innocence. Her defense team argues that the funds were\u2062 used for\u2063 legitimate charitable purposes and that the charges \u2064are politically motivated.<\/p>\n<p>The case has drawn significant attention \u2062in \u2063the Las Vegas community, where Fiore was a well-known figure before leaving office in 2017. \u2063Many \u2063residents are shocked and disappointed \u2062by the allegations against her, as \u2062she had presented herself as a champion for law \u2063enforcement and veterans during her time in office.<\/p>\n<p>The\u200b trial is \u2063set to begin in the coming months, and Fiore will have the opportunity to present her case in court. \u200dIn the \u200dmeantime, she remains free on bail but is prohibited from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/watchdog-florida-democrat-val-demings-violated-campaign-finance-law-while-fundraising-off-of-mcauliffe\/\" title=\"Watchdog: Florida Democrat Val Demings Violated Campaign Finance Law While Fundraising off of McAuliffe\">soliciting donations<\/a> or engaging\u2063 in any charitable activities.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Former Las Vegas City Council member indicted in charity fraud scheme<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1707134\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; A former Las Vegas City Council member has been indicted for what the Department of Justice called an alleged charity fraud scheme.<\/p>\n<p>Federal authorities said in a news release that 53-year-old Michele Fiore solicited donations to build a statue honoring Las Vegas police officers killed on the job.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Fiore allegedly promised donors that &lsquo;100% of the contributions&rsquo; would be used towards&nbsp;the creation of&nbsp;this statue,&rdquo; the Department of Justice (DOJ)&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.justice.gov\/opa\/pr\/former-las-vegas-city-councilwoman-charged-charity-fraud-scheme\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">said<\/a><\/strong>. &ldquo;As alleged, Fiore did not use any of the tens of thousands of dollars in charitable donations for the statue of the fallen officer and instead converted the money to her personal use.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>According to the DOJ, donations&nbsp;were instead used&nbsp;to pay Fiore&rsquo;s political fundraising bills and rent.&nbsp;The DOJ said funds were also transferred to&nbsp;members of&nbsp;Fiore&rsquo;s family members and&nbsp;were also&nbsp;used to pay for&nbsp;Fiores&rsquo;&nbsp;daughter&rsquo;s wedding.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While stating that an indictment is &ldquo;merely an allegation&rdquo;&nbsp;and reminding people that &ldquo;all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty,&rdquo;&nbsp;DOJ said Fiore&nbsp;is charged&nbsp;with four counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each count,&rdquo;&nbsp;said the DOJ.<\/p>\n<p>The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) &lsquo;s Las Vegas Field Office is investigating.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1707134\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1707134\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A former Las Vegas City Council member has been charged with participating in a charity fraud scheme by the Department of Justice. Michele Fiore allegedly collected donations for a statue honoring fallen Las Vegas police officers, promising that all contributions would go towards the statue. However, the DOJ claims that Fiore used the funds for personal expenses, political fundraising bills, rent, and even her daughter&#8217;s wedding. Fiore is facing charges of wire fraud and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, with a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison for each count if convicted. The FBI&#8217;s Las Vegas Field Office is conducting the investigation<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3317,"featured_media":2300731,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/minimum-wage-and-money.jpg.optimal.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[35579,8773,35578,35580,32076],"class_list":["post-2300730","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-charity-fraud-scheme","tag-corruption","tag-ex-las-vegas-city-council","tag-legal-charges","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/minimum-wage-and-money.jpg.optimal.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2300730","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3317"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2300730"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2300730\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2300731"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2300730"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2300730"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2300730"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}