Trump-Pardoned Judge Michele Fiore Faces Formal Judicial Misconduct Charges in Nevada

The Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline has officially charged Nye County Judge Michele Fiore with three counts of violating the state’s judicial code of conduct. This move follows Fiore’s 2024 conviction by a jury for conspiracy and wire fraud related to a failed statue project meant to honor a fallen police officer—a conviction later nullified by a controversial pardon from former President Donald Trump.

In its April 24 decision, the Commission stated that Fiore’s actions were either “knowing and deliberate violations” or “violations that were not knowing and deliberate,” both of which breach the Revised Nevada Code of Judicial Conduct. The charges highlight a troubling pattern of misconduct from a sitting judge who should embody the law, not skirt it.

Fiore’s legal troubles have not stopped her politically. She is currently running for re-election in Nye County even as she faces suspension. The Nevada Supreme Court recently upheld her suspension with pay but granted a temporary reprieve after Fiore challenged the Commission’s jurisdiction over her case. The court ordered the Commission to respond within 28 days, with Fiore allowed 14 days to reply, and has paused any current disciplinary actions pending resolution.

This saga exposes the dangerous interplay of political loyalty and judicial accountability. Fiore’s pardon by Trump, who has repeatedly used his clemency powers to reward allies convicted of serious crimes, undermines the rule of law and emboldens officials to flout ethical standards. Meanwhile, Fiore’s defiance and continued bid for office risk further eroding public trust in the judiciary.

As Fiore battles to keep her seat, Nevada voters and watchdogs must grapple with what it means when a judge convicted of fraud—later pardoned by a former president notorious for corrupt pardons—continues to hold judicial power. The stakes are high for democratic integrity and the principle that no one is above the law.