The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline denied a request Tuesday to admit a $5,000 check from Gov. Joe Lombardo as evidence during disciplinary proceedings against suspended Pahrump Justice of the Peace Michele Fiore. Special counsel Thomas Donaldson failed to provide a foundation for the check, which was written for a statue honoring Metropolitan Police Department officer Alyn Beck, who was shot and killed in 2014.
Fiore's attorney, Paola Armeni, objected to the exhibit, telling commissioners it would be unfair to submit evidence she could not question a witness about. Lombardo's office said Monday the governor was willing to participate but was notified he was no longer needed.
The commission has charged Fiore with three violations of conduct related to actions that led to a 2024 federal guilty verdict on conspiracy and wire fraud charges. Fiore, a former Las Vegas councilwoman, was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2025. She has argued the commission is improperly conflating the jury verdict with judicial misconduct based on actions predating her time on the bench.
Six witnesses testified Tuesday, including two who donated thousands of dollars to the memorial effort. Tommy White, business manager-secretary treasurer for Laborers Local 872, testified he issued two $5,000 checks to Future for Nevadans, a political action committee operated by Fiore. White said the union understood the funds supported a broader memorial effort, not necessarily a specific statue, and would not have approved personal use of the money.
Las Vegas attorney Jay Brown testified his law firm donated $26,700 to the effort and was later refunded $16,700. Brown recalled hearing from Lombardo, then Clark County sheriff, that he had already donated to the Beck memorial. The commission recessed shortly after 2 p.m. and will reconvene Wednesday at 8 a.m. for one more witness and closing arguments.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
English (US)·