Nevada judicial discipline commission begins deliberating Michele Fiore case after three-day hearing ends

What happened

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline adjourned Wednesday to deliberate on whether suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore violated the state's code of judicial conduct, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The step came at the end of a three-day hearing that closed with a final witness and closing arguments from both sides.

Fiore's attorney, Paola Armeni, said it could be months before the commission decides whether Fiore could return to the bench, according to the Review-Journal. Fiore was appointed in 2022 and elected to a two-year term in 2024.

Final witness praises her time on the bench

A former prosecutor's account

Jason Gunnell, a former Nye County prosecutor, was the last person to testify. He told the panel that before he took the job in Pahrump, he had heard the justice court described as a kangaroo court, and that he was hesitant about Fiore because of news coverage about her.

"Judge Fiore was fair. She was outstanding as a justice of the peace," Gunnell said, as quoted by the Review-Journal. He said Fiore showed humility when she faced legal issues she was not familiar with, and that she handed out toys to parents who brought children to court.

Closing arguments

Special counsel points to appearance of impropriety

Thomas Donaldson, the commission's special counsel, argued in closing that Fiore tried to benefit financially from the slaying of a police officer and called her actions reprehensible, the Review-Journal reported. He told commissioners the code of judicial conduct requires judges to always avoid both impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.

Defense says conduct came before she was a judge

Armeni countered that Fiore's actions happened before she joined the bench and did not amount to judicial misconduct. "She wasn’t a judge and she wasn’t subject to the judicial canons," Armeni said, according to the Review-Journal.

Armeni said Fiore did not intend to defraud anyone but recognized, looking back, that her accounting practices were poor. She pointed commissioners to Gunnell's testimony and asked them to focus on Fiore's professionalism as a judge. "I ask you to see beyond the media, the hoopla, the stereotypes," she said.

Earlier in the hearing, the panel rejected a $5,000 check from Gov. Joe Lombardo as evidence on Tuesday. The Review-Journal also reported that Fiore testified she did not use donations for personal expenses.

Background on the federal case

Fundraising for an officer memorial

While serving as a Las Vegas councilwoman, Fiore raised tens of thousands of dollars for a park and a statue honoring fallen police officer Alyn Beck, the Review-Journal reported. Federal prosecutors alleged she spent the money on personal expenses, including rent, plastic surgery and her daughter's wedding. The statue was built, but testimony at her trial indicated the developer Olympia Companies paid for it.

Conviction, pardon and primary loss

The commission began investigating Fiore after she was found guilty of conspiracy and wire fraud. President Donald Trump pardoned her in April 2025, but the pardon did not resolve the separate disciplinary proceedings. Fiore lost her re-election bid after finishing third in the 2026 primary election.

For more coverage of courts and accountability cases around the state, see our public safety section.

What to watch next

• A commission decision on whether Fiore violated Nevada's code of judicial conduct, which her attorney said could take months
• Whether the commission's ruling would allow Fiore to return to the bench in Pahrump