Get Cozy

Every once in a while a news item crosses my feed that at first requires a re-read, then another, then a moment of reflection as to how far we have fallen.

Alyn Beck was a decorated police officer in the Metropolitan Las Vegas Police force, who was assassinated along with his partner, Igor Soldo, while they ate lunch at a local pizza restaurant in 2014. The tragedy made national news, and the outpouring of grief was overwhelming for the local community, and the nationwide brotherhood of police officers. Mourning was painful, with multiple political leaders across the spectrum rallying around the family, and doing what they could to unite around the event, and begin healing.

Five years later, in 2019, local firebrand City Councilor, Michele Fiore stepped to the forefront as the Alyn Beck Memorial Park was about to be completed. She announced she was raising funds to erect a statue in that park of Officer Beck. Even though a private company had already offered to fund the statue, Fiore campaigned around the project. Donations of over $70,000 were collected from constituents, who wrote checks to a bank account under Fiore’s control.

Almost immediately, Fiore began moving that money around to other accounts and, as an FBI investigation uncovered in 2021, used those funds for her political campaigns, her daughter’s wedding, personal trips, and plastic surgery. Investigators found zero evidence that ANY of the monies raised went towards Officer Beck’s statue. These are the facts of the case.

Fast forward to the trial: In October of 2024, a jury convicted Fiore of federal conspiracy and wire fraud. In reading the verdict, the judge admonished Fiore for her grift, and her complete lack of remorse in exploiting the tragedy for her personal gain. Her appeal was denied in early 2025 and all that awaited her was her sentencing, calendared for May of 2025.

On April 24th, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a full and unconditional pardon of Michele Fiore.

In sharing that news, Fiore quoted scripture in front of the cameras, telling the world her fate was ordained by God, that it was He who redeemed her from the evil people wishing her incarcerated.

I wonder what Trump feels he stands to gain with this action – as Fiore was universally condemned for her disgusting crimes. As a “Back the Blue” proponent, Donald Trump also puts himself in front of a pathetic fraudster who parlayed an officer’s death into a face lift and tummy tuck. How do you describe that level of evil? I can’t understand the “why”, as this makes no political sense, which is usually easy to figure out when it comes to most of Trump’s actions.

So far, Officer Beck’s family have been silent on the pardon. They have been amazingly resilient as this circus has played out. However, I can’t imagine the rage and shame they must feel towards Fiore. As to the President, it’s the latest example of him finding new and innovative ways to lower the bar of decency.

Side note: While being investigated in 2022 for her role in the fundraising scandal, Fiore was shockingly appointed to a judgeship in Nye County, by unanimous decree, via the GOP-dominated Town Council. Fiore is not a lawyer, nor has she any education or experience to that effect. She was suspended after the conviction in 2024, but has petitioned to be restored to that judge’s seat immediately, as the pardon, in her eyes, means exoneration. That decision is pending. To answer the opening question – “this” is how far we have fallen.