Michele Fiore

{{short description|American politician (born 1970)}} {{Multiple issues| {{POV|date=April 2023}} {{Lead too short|date=October 2024}} }} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2015}} {{Infobox officeholder |name = Michele Fiore |image = Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore.jpg |caption = Fiore in 2016 |office = Member of the Las Vegas City Council<br>from Ward 6 |term_start = June 21, 2017 |term_end = December 7, 2022 |predecessor = Steven Ross |successor = Nancy E. Brune |office1 = Mayor pro tempore of Las Vegas |1blankname1 = Mayor |1namedata1 = Carolyn Goodman |term_start1 = July 3, 2019 |term_end1 = June 16, 2020 |predecessor1 = Lois Tarkanian |successor1 = Stavros Anthony |state_assembly2 = Nevada |district2 = 4th |term_start2 = November 7, 2012 |term_end2 = November 9, 2016 |predecessor2 = Richard McArthur |successor2 = Richard McArthur |birth_name = Michele Ann Fiore |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|7|29}} |birth_place = New York City, New York, U.S. |death_date = |death_place = |party = Republican |spouse = |children = 2 |website = {{url|leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Assembly/Current/4|State Assembly website}} }} '''Michele Ann Fiore''' (born July 29, 1970) is an American politician and committeewoman for the Nevada Republican Party and justice of the peace for Pahrump in Nye County. She was formerly a member of the Nevada Assembly and the Las Vegas City Council.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2025-04-24 |title=Trump pardons Nevada politician who paid for cosmetic surgery with funds to honor a slain officer |url=https://apnews.com/article/trump-pardon-michele-fiore-nevada-fraud-cf56ef8b302b8111e47cf52d5a606d19 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

In 2024, Fiore was convicted of seven counts of federal felony fraud for stealing $70,000 meant for a memorial to a police officer and spending it on personal expenses including cosmetic surgery.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{cite news |work=News 3 Las Vegas | date=October 4, 2024| title=Former Las Vegas councilwoman convicted of wire fraud scheme to defraud donors | url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/michele-fiore-found-guilty-on-all-counts-in-federal-wire-fraud-case}}</ref> In 2025, she was pardoned by President Donald Trump before she was due to be sentenced.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Neugeboren |first=Eric |date=2025-04-24 |title=Trump pardons Fiore, clearing former Las Vegas councilwoman after fraud conviction |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/trump-pardons-fiore-clearing-former-las-vegas-councilwoman-after-fraud-conviction |access-date=2026-03-04 |newspaper=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==Biography== Fiore moved to Nye County in November 2022 after narrowly losing the race for Nevada State Treasurer in the 2022 election. She was a member of the Nevada Assembly from 2012 to 2016.<ref name="PVS">{{cite web |url= http://votesmart.org/candidate/biography/121949 |title= Michele Fiore's Biography |publisher= Project Vote Smart |access-date= November 18, 2013}}</ref> Fiore, who represented much of northwestern Clark County, served two Assembly terms.

On December 7, 2015, she confirmed that she would not seek reelection, and would instead enter the 2016 race for Nevada's 3rd congressional district in southern Clark County.<ref name="ap">{{cite news|last1=Rindels|first1=Michelle|title=Nevada lawmaker: Shooting Comments don't apply to refugees|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/5505c533f7a64847993243e421ae67cc/nevada-lawmakers-syrian-strategy-use-bullets|access-date=December 8, 2015|agency=AP|date=December 7, 2015}}</ref> On June 15, 2016, Fiore placed third in the primary, with 18% of the vote.<ref>Kirkland, Allegra. [http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/michele-fiore-loses-nevada-congressional-race Gun-Toting, Bundy-Defending Nevada GOPer Loses Congressional Race]. Talking Points Memo, June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.</ref>

She was elected to the Las Vegas City Council in 2017 and represented Ward 6.<ref name="Las Vegas Review-Journal">{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/investigations/feds-subpoena-campaign-records-in-fiore-investigation-2422041/|title=Feds subpoena campaign records in Fiore investigation|date=August 17, 2021|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|author1=Jeff German|author2=David Ferrara|author3=Shea Johnson}}</ref> Fiore has been a high-profile supporter of Cliven Bundy and Donald Trump.<ref name="Las Vegas Review-Journal"/><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/as-council-reacts-to-history-fiore-calls-trump-one-of-our-greatest-2260493/|title=As council reacts to history, Fiore calls Trump "one of our greatest"|date=January 21, 2021|author=Shea Johnson|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal}}</ref>

She briefly ran in the Republican primary for the 2022 Nevada gubernatorial election before dropping out and winning the Republican nomination in the 2022 Nevada State Treasurer election, which she lost to Democratic nominee Zach Conine, 46.0% to 47.7%. She was the Republican National Committee committeewoman for Nevada from January 2021 to January 16, 2023, succeeded by Sigal Chattah.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/las-vegas-nevada-las-vegas-mass-shooting-dean-heller-18d0cf25c46cd403c4a06c241a9a3b91|title=GOP firebrand Michele Fiore enters Nevada governor's race|author=Sam Metz|date=October 19, 2021|website=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="Las Vegas Review-Journal"/>

In December 20, 2022, the Nye County Board of Commissioners appointed Fiore justice of the peace, preceded by Kent Jasperson. In June 2023, she was elected to the office.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trump pardons ex-Las Vegas councilwoman Michele Fiore after fraud conviction |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/trump-pardons-ex-las-vegas-councilwoman-michele-fiore-after-fraud-conviction/amp/ |website=KLAS |access-date=26 April 2025 |date=24 April 2025}}</ref>

==Issues== [[File:Michele Fiore thanks the men and women of Creech Air Force Base.jpg|thumb|right|Fiore thanks the men and women of Creech Air Force Base in 2018]]

===Campus gun carry bill=== Fiore is a staunch supporter of gun rights. She sponsored Assembly Bill 148 to allow concealed firearms on the campuses of colleges and grade schools and in day care facilities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/mar/05/fiore-defends-campus-carry-bill-against-nyc-anti-g/|title=Fiore defends campus carry bill against NYC 'anti-gun nuts'|author=Kyle Roerink|work=LasVegasSun.com|date=March 5, 2015|access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> In an interview with ''The New York Times'', Fiore said, "If these young, hot little girls on campus have a firearm, I wonder how many men will want to assault them. The sexual assaults that are occurring would go down once these sexual predators get a bullet in their head."<ref>{{cite news |last=Schwarz |first=Alan |date=2015-02-19 |title=A Bid for Guns on Campuses to Deter Rape |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/19/us/in-bid-to-allow-guns-on-campus-weapons-are-linked-to-fighting-sexual-assault.html?_r=1 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref> In December 2015, Fiore sent her constituents a 2016 calendar that included a family Christmas portrait under the month of December featuring her immediate family all holding guns, and her grandchildren, one of whom was holding what appeared to be a handgun.<ref name="calendar">Grinberg, Emanuella. "[http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/05/us/michele-fiore-gun-holiday-card-feat/ Nevada politician wishes you a Merry Christmas -- with guns]." CNN. 2015-12-06.</ref> The photo went viral on Facebook and drew criticism for depicting a small child holding a weapon.<ref name="calendar" />

===Same-sex marriage and medical marijuana=== Fiore is noted for having been the only Republican to vote to lift the ban on same-sex marriage and to legalize medical marijuana.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/jul/20/true-nevada-political-rise/ |title=A true Nevada political rise |date=July 20, 2014 |publisher=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=February 18, 2015}}</ref>

===Description of treatments possible under right-to-try bill=== Fiore was a primary sponsor of the 2015 Nevada right-to-try law,<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Bills/AB/AB164_EN.pdf Assembly Bill No. 164] as enrolled. May 22, 2015. Nevada Legislature Retrieved December 31, 2015</ref><ref>On May 27, 2015, Governor Brian Sandoval signed the Nevada Right-to-Try Act into law, making Nevada the 18th state to pass the legislation.{{cite web |date=May 28, 2015 |title=Nevada Becomes 18th State to Allow Terminally Ill to Access Investigational Medications |url=http://goldwaterinstitute.org/en/work/topics/healthcare/right-to-try/nevada-becomes-18th-state-to-allow-terminally-ill-/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906032111/http://goldwaterinstitute.org/en/work/topics/healthcare/right-to-try/nevada-becomes-18th-state-to-allow-terminally-ill-/ |archive-date=September 6, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2015 |work=Goldwater Institute |publisher=The Goldwater Institute}}</ref> legislation that allows doctors to perform medical procedures that are being used in ongoing FDA-approved clinical trials but have not achieved FDA approval for terminally ill patients who are not responding to traditional medical treatment.<ref name="goldwater">{{cite web |url=http://goldwaterinstitute.org/en/work/topics/healthcare/right-to-try/nevada-becomes-18th-state-to-allow-terminally-ill-/ |title=Nevada Becomes 18th State to Allow Terminally Ill to Access Investigational Medications |work=Goldwater Institute |date=May 28, 2015 |publisher=The Goldwater Institute |access-date=December 31, 2015}}</ref> On a February 2014<ref name="radio">[http://votefiore.com/walk-talk-michele-fiore/ "Walk the Talk with Michele Fiore" radio broadcast], February 21, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.</ref> edition of her radio show, discussing Right-to-Try, Fiore described the cancer treatment by ''Cancer is a Fungus'' author Tullio Simoncini as an example of treatments that the terminally ill could access under Right-to-Try: "If you have cancer, which I believe is a fungus, and we can put a PICC line into your body and we're flushing, let's say, salt water, sodium carbonate, through that line, and flushing out the fungus. ... These are some procedures that are not FDA-approved in America that are very inexpensive, cost-effective."<ref name="post">{{cite news |last=Ewan |first=Julia |date=February 26, 2015 |title=A lawmaker who believes saltwater and baking soda can cure cancer |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/to-your-health/wp/2015/02/26/the-people-who-believe-salt-water-and-baking-soda-can-cure-cancer/ |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref>

On her February 21, 2015, broadcast, the theme was the concept of Right-to-Try; the bill had been introduced in the Assembly the previous week. At the top of the show Fiore raised the topic of her 2014 comments, "an issue that I have gotten a lot of questions about". She said, "I made comments about cancer that I didn't put in the proper context." She had had a friend with cancer who had made "radical improvement using a doctor out of Italy's treatment covered in his book and his book was called ''Cancer Is A Fungus'' ... it was a tumor therapy of some sort. The point I was trying to illustrate was that people like my friend ... should have the right to decide their own fate and try experimental treatments like this."<ref name="radio"/> She did not repeat that cancer is a fungus or that salt water could flush it out. After Fiore addressed the issue she and guest Jackie See, M.D., defended the Simoncini treatment and other alternative techniques as viable and a means by which the U.S. could lead the world medically if regulation and bureaucracy were reduced and doctors could "explor[e] all the treatments not knowing where the next breakthrough will come from."<ref name="radio" /> After the 2015 broadcast, she received renewed national attention for her 2014 statements.<ref name="post"/>

Using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as a cancer treatment is espoused by Tullio Simoncini and is known as the Simoncini cancer treatment.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/sodium-bicarbonate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303123033/http://www.cancer.org/Treatment/TreatmentsandSideEffects/ComplementaryandAlternativeMedicine/HerbsVitaminsandMinerals/sodium-bicarbonate |title=Sodium Bicarbonate |publisher=American Cancer Society |archive-date=March 3, 2015 |access-date=December 31, 2015}}</ref> This method has not been proven, and no evidence suggests that it or treatment with salt water works, but if either were to be accepted under the bill's requirements it could be legally considered a non-FDA-approved treatment that a terminally ill patient in Nevada could request. The bill that Fiore introduced eight days before her 2015 show requires that the drug, product or device "have successfully completed Phase 1 of a clinical trial" and that it be "tested in a clinical trial that has been approved by the [FDA]."<ref>[http://www.leg.state.nv.us/Session/78th2015/Bills/AB/AB164.pdf Assembly Bill No. 164] as introduced. February 13, 2015. Nevada Legislature Retrieved December 31, 2015.</ref>

===January 6 United States Capitol attack reaction === Days after the January 6 United States Capitol attack, Fiore attended the Republican National Committee's winter meeting on Amelia Island, Florida, where she told the ''New York Times'', "I surely embrace President Trump."<ref name="nyt-martin-2021">{{cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Jonathan |title=In Capital, a G.O.P. Crisis. At the R.N.C. Meeting, a Trump Celebration. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/us/politics/trump-republican-national-committee.html |access-date=9 January 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=January 8, 2021}}</ref>

==Incidents and concerns==

===Charity fraud case=== On July 12, 2024, a federal grand jury indicted Fiore on charges of defrauding donors to a charity to memorialize police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. She is accused of soliciting tens of thousands of dollars for a statue honoring a fallen officer and instead using the money for personal expenses, including plastic surgery, rent, and her daughter's wedding.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/2024/07/19/live-ex-las-vegas-councilwoman-pleads-not-guilty-alleged-charity-scheme/ | title=Ex-Las Vegas councilwoman pleads not guilty in alleged charity scheme | date=July 19, 2024 }}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Fiore gave a statement to the media after the hearing in Las Vegas's federal courthouse. She was released on her own recognizance to await a trial scheduled to begin on September 24. She was also ordered to not have contact with any non-family-member witnesses outside the presence of legal counsel.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/crime/michele-fiore-pleads-not-guilty-to-federal-charges-in-alleged-charity-fraud-scheme | title=Michele Fiore pleads not guilty to federal charges in alleged charity fraud scheme | date=July 19, 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news| publisher=apnews.com| date=October 3, 2024| title=Nevada politician guilty of using $70,000 meant for statue of slain officer for personal costs| url=https://apnews.com/article/republican-michele-fiore-guilty-wire-fraud-nevada-5844d79dacf0bfd6b43d36e03eb6cd95}}</ref>

In October 2024, Fiore was convicted on six counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The jury returned the verdict almost immediately after it went into deliberation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Vanessa |title=Michele Fiore convicted by jury in wire fraud case |url=https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/michele-fiore-convicted-by-jury-in-wire-fraud-case/ |publisher=KLAS-TV |date=October 3, 2024}}</ref>

A sentencing hearing was scheduled for May 14, 2025, but President Donald Trump pardoned Fiore on April 24.<ref>{{cite news|last=Svirnovskiy|first=Gregory|date=April 24, 2025|url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/24/trump-pardon-michele-fiore-00308724|title=The president's latest pardon: 'Lady Trump'|work=Politico|access-date=January 2, 2025}}</ref> Shortly after receiving the presidential pardon, Fiore filed a notice stating that she is appealing the decision to keep her suspended from her role as a Pahrump justice of the peace. In April 2026, the Nevada Supreme Court dismissed her appeals and upheld the state panel's decision of unpaid suspension.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Casey Harrison |date=2026-04-13 |title=Nevada Supreme Court upholds interim suspension of Fiore |url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/nevada/nevada-supreme-court-upholds-interim-suspension-of-fiore-3737361/ |access-date=2026-04-14 |newspaper=Las Vegas Review-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Gun use against law enforcement=== In March 2016, Fiore was interviewed by the ''Las Vegas Sun''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2016/mar/16/fiore-oregon-occupiers-were-campers-who-were-victi/|title=Fiore: Oregon occupiers were campers who were victimized by government|last=Kudialis|first=Chris|date=March 16, 2016|work=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref> When asked about her support of militants involved in the occupation of the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge earlier that year, she said,

{{Blockquote|text=When the federal government feels they're going to govern Americans by gunpoint, I'm sorry. If government is going to point a gun at me, I'm going to point my gun right back. If you're going to shoot me, I'm going to shoot you back. I ain't going to shoot first, but I ain't going to let you shoot me. It's just not going to happen.<ref name=":1" />}}

In April 2016, Fiore was interviewed for the KLAS 8 television show "Politics NOW". Discussing whether the 2014 armed resistance against federal agents was justified (the agents were in Bunkerville, Nevada, to confiscate cattle owned by rancher Cliven Bundy because of defaulted grazing fees), she said,

{{blockquote|I would never, ever point my firearm at anyone, including an officer of the law, unless they pointed their firearm at me. Now, once you point your firearm at me, I'm sorry, then it becomes self-defense. So, whether you're a stranger, a bad guy, or an officer, and you—you point your gun at me and you're gonna shoot me and I have to decide whether it's my life or your life, well, I choose my life.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/politics-now-42416|title=Michele Fiore's April 24, 2016 interview by KLAS 8 Politics NOW|publisher=KLAS 8 TV |access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> }}

In May 2016, the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers sent a letter denouncing Fiore's statements, concluding,

{{blockquote|Ms. Fiore, we no longer see you as a passionate advocate for your Second Amendment rights, which we support. Rather, these comments were utterly irresponsible, an embarrassment to your District and our State, and they continue to demonstrate why you are unqualified to hold the position of United States Congresswoman.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/elections/law-enforcement-group-tells-michele-fiore-she-s-unqualified-congress|title=Law enforcement group tells Michele Fiore she's 'unqualified' for Congress|date=May 27, 2016|publisher=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> }}

In response, Fiore told KTNV 13 Action News that her original statement referred to federal Bureau of Land Management agents, not local police. She described BLM law enforcement agents as "wannabe cops" and the BLM as "a bureaucratic agency of terrorism that terrorized Americans, especially ranchers." When pressed about the meaning of her previous statement, she said,

{{blockquote|If a rogue, unofficial BLM agent that's literally wanting to be a cop—a wannabe police officer—points a gun at me, there's gonna be a problem.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ktnv.com/news/michele-fiore-explains-comment-about-pointing-a-gun-at-law-enforcement|title=Michele Fiore's May 2016 interview by KTNV 13 Action News|date=May 10, 2016|publisher=KTNV 13 TV |access-date=May 27, 2016}}</ref> }}

===Involvement in the Bundy standoff=== In April 2014, Fiore was interviewed by MSNBC's Chris Hayes and by Fox News's Sean Hannity about the armed confrontation at Bunkerville, Nevada, between law enforcement officers and Cliven Bundy and his supporters. The interviews were shared thousands of times on social media. Fiore said, "The federal government should not show up with guns to collect on a debt" and called for the termination of "whoever ordered this to be done."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2014/04/19/msnbcs_chris_hayes_vs_cliven_bundy_supporter_nv_assemblywoman_michele_fiore.html |title=MSNBC's Chris Hayes vs. Cliven Bundy Supporter NV Assemblywoman Michele Fiore |publisher=Real Clear Politics |access-date=April 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPsEA_vGqKs |title=Sean Hannity interviews Assemblywoman Michele Fiore regarding Chris Hayes and Bundy Ranch |publisher=YouTube |access-date=April 23, 2014}}</ref>

===Statement about wanting to shoot Syrian refugees herself=== On November 21, 2015, on her weekly AM radio program on KDWN, Fiore explained why she had not signed a Nevada Assembly Republican caucus letter that called for a review of federal safeguards before Nevada would resettle Syrian refugees. She said, "We didn't know anything about the letter, nor did we get invited to be on the letter." She went on, "He's like, 'The Syrian refugees.' I'm like, 'What, are you kidding me? I'm about to fly to Paris and shoot 'em in the head myself.' I mean, I am not OK with Syrian refugees. I'm not OK with terrorists. I'm OK with putting them down, blacking them out. Just put a piece of brass in their ocular cavity and end their miserable life. I'm good with that."<ref>{{cite news|last1=Lucas|first1=Scott|title=Michele Fiore says she wants to shoot Syrian refugees|url=http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/dec/07/michele-fiore-says-she-wants-to-shoot-syrian-refug/|access-date=December 8, 2015|agency=Las Vegas Sun|date=December 7, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title = Walk the Talk with Michele Fiore - Assemblywoman Michele Fiore|url = http://votefiore.com/walk-talk-michele-fiore/|website = Assemblywoman Michele Fiore|access-date = 2015-12-08|language = en-US|id = begins at 7:07}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/08/nevada-lawmaker-says-shoot-em-in-the-head-remark-applied-to-terrorists-not-refugees/ |title=Nevada lawmaker says 'shoot 'em in the head' remark applied to terrorists, not refugees |last1=Chokshi |first1=Niraj |date=December 8, 2015 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=January 1, 2016}}</ref>

On December 7, 2015, she told the Associated Press, "I was not talking about the refugees." She added, "I do not want Syrian refugees in our state, period", and said that she did not trust the refugee vetting process to screen out terrorists.<ref name="ap"/>

===IRS investigation=== In December 2014, it was reported that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had filed dozens of tax liens totaling about $1 million against Fiore and her home healthcare businesses, Always There 4 You and Always There Personal Care. The liens against the businesses involved unpaid employee payroll taxes. In response, Fiore stated, "I am one hundred percent in compliance with IRS, period." Fiore blamed her ex-husband, who at one time acted as her accountant, and a former employee who stole from her while at the same time sent fraudulent documents to her current accountant to hide the embezzlement.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/dec/16/assemblywoman-fiore-to-address-reported-tax-liens/ |title=Vegas assemblywoman blames employee for tax liens |newspaper=The Washington Times |access-date=February 18, 2015}}</ref>

The fallout from her issues with the IRS led to her being removed as majority leader and chair of the Assembly Taxation Committee.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2014/dec/18/michele-fiore-removed-assembly-leadership-position/ |title=Michele Fiore removed from Assembly leadership positions |date=December 18, 2014 |publisher=Las Vegas Sun |access-date=February 18, 2015}}</ref> It was reported that she reacted to the removal by saying there was a war on women in the Assembly Republican Caucus. "It was a total misquote," Fiore said. "Nevada Republicans are not waging a war on women. We have a group in our caucus that are waging a war on conservatives."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Bolinger |first1=Kevin |date=February 3, 2015 |title=Michele Fiore discusses divide between Assembly Republicans |url=http://www.fox5vegas.com/story/28018543/michele-fiore-discusses-divide-between-assembly-republicans |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227120354/https://dornsife.usc.edu/cf/faculty-and-staff/faculty.cfm?pid=1008344 |archive-date=2018-02-27 |access-date=February 3, 2015 |publisher=KVVU TV - FOX 5}}</ref>

===Voiding of home healthcare license=== On November 3, 2015, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services's Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) voided Fiore's license to operate Always There 4 You, a home healthcare service.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title = State voiding lawmaker Michele Fiore's health care license|url = http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/nov/03/state-voiding-lawmaker-michele-fiores-health-care/|website = LasVegasSun.com|date = November 3, 2015|access-date = 2016-02-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/politics/local/fiore-loses-license-home-health-care-business |title=Fiore loses license for home health care business |last1=Chereb |first1=Sandra |last2=Botkin |first2=Ben |date=November 3, 2015 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> Always There 4 You and another Fiore-owned home healthcare service, Always There Personal Care, received about $6 million (net) in Medicaid reimbursements between 2011 and March 2015.<ref name="ralston">{{Cite web|title = Fiore snubs, threatens state inspectors, could lose home health care license|url = https://www.ralstonreports.com/blog/fiore-snubs-threatens-state-inspectors-could-lose-home-health-care-license|website = Ralston Reports|date = July 21, 2015|access-date = 2016-02-23}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/nevada/state-threatens-assemblywoman-fiore-business-shutdown |title=State threatens Assemblywoman Fiore with business shutdown |last1=Whaley |first1=Sean |date=July 24, 2015 |website=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> Although in Nevada an unannounced inspection of such companies' business records is required to be completed every 18 months,<ref name="state"/> in 2013 and 2015 health department inspectors were blocked several times from reviewing Always There 4 You's records.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="july letter">{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/272512210/Fiore-Always-there-for-you-letter-7-24-2015-pdf |title=Fiore-Always there for you letter.7-24.2015 |author=Nevada DHHS, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance |date=July 24, 2015 |website=Scribd |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> They were denied access by office staff, by Fiore's mother, and by Fiore.<ref name="state">{{Cite web|title = State: Assemblywoman Michele Fiore blocked inspectors at her business|url = http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/24/state-assemblywoman-michele-fiore-blocked-inspecto/|website = LasVegasSun.com|date = July 24, 2015|access-date = 2016-02-15}}</ref><ref name="july letter"/>

In July 2015, after receiving a formal warning,<ref name="july letter"/> Fiore met with health department officials in "a so-called conciliation process that essentially gives Fiore one more chance to comply".<ref name="ralston"/> Fiore said the meeting was "productive" and she was "prepared to welcome inspectors in the future with coffee and doughnuts."<ref name=":0"/><ref name="state"/> In September 2015 an inspector found the Always There 4 You office dark and its door locked, with no notice posted on the premises explaining why. In October 2015 the Bureau sent a certified letter requesting clarification and again reminding Fiore that her license could be suspended or revoked.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/288274610/Always-There-4-You-10-20-15 |title=Always There 4 You 10-20-15 |date=October 20, 2015 |author=Nevada DHHS, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance|website=Scribd |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> Fiore did not reply.<ref name=":0"/>

On November 3, after officials arrived to find another business moving into the office location, the Bureau administratively closed the Always There 4 You license and notified Fiore.<ref name=":0"/><ref name="nov letter">{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/288619591/November-3-2015-Letter-to-Ms-Fiore |title=November 3, 2015 Letter to Ms. Fiore |date=November 3, 2015 |author=Nevada DHHS, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance|website=Scribd |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> That night, Fiore issued a press release "regarding allegations that her home health care company was shut down by the government." "With the signing of a Notice Of Dissolution last week, I have completely closed my home health care business. While the media will try to tell you that my business was shut down by the government, I would like to lay that rumor to rest."<ref name=":0"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ralstonreports.com/blog/fiore-danger-losing-business-license |title=Fiore in danger of losing business license |last1=Ralston |first1=Jon |date=November 5, 2015 |publisher=Ralston Reports |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref>

The next day, the press release contents, under the title "You're Fired, State Inspectors!" and addressed to "Friends", were published on Fiore's website.<ref>{{Cite web|title = You're Fired, State Inspectors!|url = http://votefiore.com/2015/11/04/youre-fired-state-inspectors/|website = Assemblywoman Michele Fiore| date=November 4, 2015 |access-date = 2016-02-15}}</ref> "You're Fired, State Inspectors!" reproduces an article titled "When 'They' Win, We All Lose," written for a local magazine the month before, which begins, "By the time you read this, my home health care business will be a memory ... It happened because 'They' won."

{{blockquote|Do I allow these bureaucratic agencies to bully their way into my office without notice to extort money from my company claiming my files aren't perfect? Do I put up with them dictating to me, forcing me to pay ridiculous outrageous fees to stay in business, and keep growing it to continually cover the government's greed for more which will be never ending? Or do I shrug my shoulders as "Atlas Shrugged" did and say, you can keep your unnecessary, miserable, burdensome, overtaxation, overregulated and overlegislated BS because I won't participate with you anymore? I didn't realize when I threw those overbearing inspectors out of my office just how much I've tolerated.<ref>{{Cite web|title = When 'They' Win, We All Lose|url=http://votefiore.com/2015/11/04/youre-fired-state-inspectors/|website = Assemblywoman Michele Fiore|date=November 4, 2015 |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref> }}

In "You're Fired" Fiore disclosed that she had been closing down her business for eight weeks. Always There 4 You was officially dissolved November 9, 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nvsos.gov/sosentitysearch/corpActions.aspx?lx8nvq=83qIyJhHBJckYdBaB2AZ3Q%253d%253d&CorpName=ALWAYS+THERE+4+YOU+LLC |title=Entity Actions for 'ALWAYS THERE 4 YOU LLC' |publisher=Nevada Secretary of State |access-date=April 19, 2016}}</ref>

===Blue Lives Matter March=== After the unrest and riots resulting from the murder of George Floyd, conservative talk show host Wayne Allyn Root organized a Blue Lives Matter march on Las Vegas Blvd scheduled for June 13, 2020, of which Fiore was to be a co-host. A flyer was circulated with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's emblem displayed across the bottom. The next day, the City of Las Vegas issued a statement saying the event was not officially sanctioned. The Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/lvmpd-responds-to-planned-blue-lives-matter-event|title=UPDATE: Blue Lives Matter March in Las Vegas postponed|date=June 9, 2020}}</ref> reading, "The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department recently learned of a planned rally for Blue Lives Matter that used images of our badge on their flyers. While we uphold the first amendment right for all groups to peacefully assemble, we did not authorize permission for the organizers to use the LVMPD badge as the department was not part of the planning of this event."

The event was postponed the next day and Las Vegas NAACP President Roxann McCoy said in a news release,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/blue-lives-matter-protest-postponed-over-safety-concerns/|title = 'Blue Lives Matter' postponed, harshly criticized by Las Vegas NAACP|date = June 9, 2020}}</ref> "The NAACP Las Vegas is appalled that Las Vegas, Nevada City Council members Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Fiore, Councilwoman Victoria Seaman, Councilman Stavros Anthony do not care to understand Black citizens of Las Vegas and the injustices we constantly endure."

==Elections== * '''2010''' Fiore first ran for Nevada's 1st congressional district in the June 8 eight-way Republican primary, but lost to perennial candidate Kenneth Wegner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nvsos.gov/SilverState2010Pri/congressional.aspx|title=Congressional results|work=nvsos.gov|access-date=April 24, 2015}}</ref> * '''2012''' When Republican Assemblyman Richard McArthur ran for Nevada Senate and left the Assembly District 4 seat open, Fiore was unopposed in the June 12 Republican primary and won the three-way November 6 general election with 14,239 votes (53.11%) against Democratic nominee Kenneth Evans and Independent American candidate Jonathan Hansen.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nvsos.gov/soselectionpages/results/2012STatewideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2012 Official Statewide General Election Results November 6, 2012 |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |access-date= November 18, 2013}}</ref> * '''2014''' Fiore, now an incumbent, faced her first reelection challenge from Democrat Jeff Hinton, a former U.S. Marine and current schoolteacher. Fiore won by nearly 25 percent.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nvsos.gov/soselectionpages/results/2014STatewideGeneral/ElectionSummary.aspx |title= 2014 Official Statewide General Election Results November 4, 2014 |publisher= Secretary of State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |access-date= November 18, 2014}}</ref> * '''2016''' Fiore decided to give up her assembly seat and run for election in the open 3rd congressional district. She came in third behind perennial candidate and businessman Danny Tarkanian and state Senator Michael Roberson. * '''2017''' With City Councilman Steve Ross retiring, Fiore ran for Ward 6 in northwestern Las Vegas, about half of which overlaps with her old assembly district. Though municipal elections in Nevada are nonpartisan, Fiore framed the contest as a referendum on political ideology in an area where Republicans outnumber Democrats.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.lasvegasnow.com/news/the-race-for-ward-6-why-is-it-so-important/672066436|title=The race for Ward 6: Why is it so important?|last=Walker|first=Patrick|date=2017-03-15|work=LASVEGASNOW|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-US}}</ref> Fiore faced a crowded field, including the retiring councilman's wife, Kelli. Fiore led with 46% of the vote in the first round.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/fiore-ross-head-for-runoff-in-las-vegas-ward-6/|title=Fiore, Ross head for runoff in Las Vegas Ward 6|date=2017-04-05|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-US}}</ref> In the second round, Fiore defeated Kelli Ross, 51%–49%.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/michele-fiore-celebrates-las-vegas-city-council-win/|title=Michele Fiore celebrates Las Vegas City Council win|date=2017-06-14|work=Las Vegas Review-Journal|access-date=2017-09-28|language=en-US}}</ref> She was named mayor pro tem of the City Council on July 3, 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/michele-fiore-named-mayor-pro-tem-for-las-vegas|title=Michele Fiore named Mayor Pro Tem for Las Vegas|date=2020-07-03|access-date=2020-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Michele Fiore named Mayor Pro Tem for Las Vegas |url=https://www.ktnv.com/news/michele-fiore-named-mayor-pro-tem-for-las-vegas |work=KTNV |access-date=1 September 2020 |language=en |date=3 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Mayor & City Council |url=https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Mayor-City-Council |publisher=City of Las Vegas |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506065250/https://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Mayor-City-Council |archive-date=6 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=City of Las Vegas elects Stavros Anthony to Mayor Pro Tem |url=https://www.fox5vegas.com/news/city-of-las-vegas-elects-stavros-anthony-to-mayor-pro-tem/article_1957082c-c13a-11ea-a5eb-13639086f206.html |work=FOX5 Las Vegas |access-date=1 September 2020 |language=en |date=8 July 2020}}</ref> * '''2020''' Fiore was reelected as Republican National Committeewoman in June by a vote of 220 to 27.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/las-vegas-councilman-demands-fiore-be-removed-from-leadership-position-over-racist-and-inflammatory-statements|title=Fiore re-elected to Republican National Committeewoman over the weekend|date=2020-06-11|access-date=2020-06-16}}</ref> The Clark County Republican Party released a statement criticizing the "racially charged" remarks she made at the group's June 6, 2020, convention.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Cody |title=Clark County Republican Party rebukes Mayor Pro Tem Fiore's 'racially charged' remarks |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/clark-county-republican-party-rebukes-mayor-pro-tem-fiores-racially-charged-remarks |work=KSNV |access-date=1 September 2020 |date=8 June 2020}}</ref> She stepped down as Las Vegas City Council Mayor Pro Tem on June 16 to focus on the country's racial divide.<ref>{{Cite news |author1=Cody Miller |author2=Gabby Hart |date=2020-06-16 |title=Michele Fiore steps down as Mayor Pro Tem of Las Vegas |url=https://news3lv.com/news/local/michele-fiore-steps-down-as-mayor-pro-tem-of-las-vegas |work=KSNV |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Snyder |first=Riley |date=2020-06-16 |title=Fiore steps down as mayor pro tem, says it has nothing to do with racial comments |url=https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/fiore-steps-down-as-mayor-pro-tem-says-it-has-nothing-to-do-with-racial-comments |work=The Nevada Independent |language=en}}</ref> * '''2022''' On October 19, 2021, Fiore announced her candidacy for governor of Nevada in the 2022 Nevada gubernatorial election.<ref>{{cite news|date=2021-10-19|title=Embroiled in controversies, Michele Fiore announces run for governor|url=https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/las-vegas/michele-fiore-announces-run-for-governor-2462482/}}</ref> On March 17, 2022, she withdrew from the gubernatorial race to run for Nevada State Treasurer in the 2022 election. On November 8, 2022, Fiore lost the general election to incumbent Democrat Zach Conine.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.8newsnow.com/news/politics/las-vegas-city-councilwoman-michele-fiore-files-for-candidacy-for-nevada-state-treasurer/ | title=Las Vegas Councilwoman Michele Fiore drops out of governor race, runs for state treasurer | work=KLAS | date=March 17, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2022/11/14/republican-michele-fiore-loses-bid-nevada-treasurer-zach-conine/10697433002/ | title=Democrat Conine wins reelection as Nevada treasurer; Fiore personally calls to concede }}</ref>

==Committees== * Assembly Commerce and Labor * Assembly Judiciary * Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections * Assembly Transportation<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Assembly/Current/4 |title= State of Nevada - Legislator Information |publisher= State of Nevada |location= Carson City, Nevada |access-date= March 18, 2015}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20160914071840/https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/Legislator/A/Assembly/Current/4 Official page] at the Nevada Legislature * [https://web.archive.org/web/20230410193556/http://votefiore.com/ Campaign website] * {{C-SPAN|61911}} * {{CongLinks | congbio= | votesmart=121949 | fec= | congress= }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fiore, Michele}} Category:1970 births Category:21st-century American criminals Category:21st-century American women politicians Category:Las Vegas City Council members Category:Living people Category:Republican Party members of the Nevada Assembly Category:Politicians from Brooklyn Category:Women state legislators in Nevada Category:21st-century members of the Nevada Legislature Category:Nevada politicians convicted of crimes Category:People pardoned by Donald Trump