Trump Pardons Fiore After Fraud Conviction Debate

Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore, convicted in October 2024 of wire fraud and conspiracy for misappropriating charitable donations, has received a full and unconditional pardon from President Donald Trump. Fiore, who had been scheduled for sentencing on May 14 and faced up to 140 years in prison, saw her lawyers move to vacate the sentencing after the pardon. An FBI investigation determined she diverted donations for personal expenses such as plastic surgery, rent, and her daughter's wedding, and falsified campaign finance reports to hide the fraud. Fiore maintains her innocence, calling the charges politically motivated and the pardon a restoration of her life and reputation. The pardon came after Trump ally Sigal Chattah was named Interim U.S. Attorney for Nevada, whose office had prosecuted the case. The case featured testimony from Nevada's governor and has fueled debate over the use of presidential pardons in politically sensitive prosecutions.