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Michele Fiore

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Michele Fiore
Michele Fiore interviewed in 2015
Member of the Nevada Assembly
from the 4th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 4, 2013
Preceded byRichard McArthur
Personal details
Born
Michele Ann Fiore

(1970-07-29) July 29, 1970 (age 54)
Brooklyn, New York
NationalityAmerican
Political partyRepublican
Children2 daughters, 5 grandchildren
Professionhealthcare industry executive
WebsiteNevada Assembly

Michele Ann Fiore (born July 29, 1970) is an American Republican politician who has been a member of the Nevada Assembly since February 4, 2013.[1] Fiore, who represents part of Clark County in Assembly District 4, is serving her second term. On December 7, 2015, Fiore confirmed that she would not seek re-election and would instead enter the 2016 race for Nevada's 3rd congressional district in southern Clark County.[2] On June 15, 2016 Fiore placed third in the primary race with 18% of the vote. Danny Tarkanian was the winner with 34% of the vote.[3]

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and has lived in Nevada since 1993.

Issues

Campus gun carry bill

Fiore is a staunch supporter of Second Amendment Rights; her 2015 Christmas Card shows her family holding their guns. She sponsored Assembly Bill 148 to allow concealed firearms on the campuses of colleges and grade schools and in day care facilities.[4] In an interview with The New York Times, Fiore is quoted saying, "If these young, hot little girls on campus have a firearm, I wonder how many men will want to assault them. The sexual assaults that are occurring would go down once these sexual predators get a bullet in their head."[5]

Same-sex marriage and medical marijuana

Fiore is noted for having been the only Republican to vote for lifting the ban on same-sex marriage and the legalization of medical marijuana.[6]

Description of treatments possible under Right-to-Try bill

Fiore was a primary sponsor of the 2015 Nevada Right-to-Try bill,[7][8] legislation which allows doctors to perform medical procedures that are being used in ongoing FDA-approved clinical trials, but have not achieved FDA approval, for terminally ill patients who are not responding to traditional medical treatment.[9] On a February 2014[10] edition of her radio show, discussing Right-to-Try, Fiore described the cancer treatment by Cancer is a Fungus author Tullio Simoncini as an example of treatments that the terminally ill could access under Right-to-Try: “If you have cancer, which I believe is a fungus, and we can put a PICC line into your body and we’re flushing, let’s say, salt water, sodium carbonate, through that line, and flushing out the fungus. [...] These are some procedures that are not FDA-approved in America that are very inexpensive, cost-effective.”[11]

The following year, on her February 21, 2015 broadcast, the theme was the concept of Right-to-Try; the bill had been introduced in the Assembly the previous week. At the top of the show Fiore raised the topic of her 2014 comments, "an issue that I have gotten a lot of questions about". She said, "I made comments about cancer that I didn't put in the proper context." She had had a friend with cancer who had made "radical improvement using a doctor out of Italy's treatment covered in his book and his book was called Cancer Is A Fungus... it was a tumor therapy of some sort. The point I was trying to illustrate was that people like my friend... should have the right to decide their own fate and try experimental treatments like this."[10] She did not repeat that she believed that cancer was a fungus or that salt water could flush it out. After Fiore addressed the issue she and guest Jackie See, M.D., defended the Simoncini treatment and other alternative techniques as viable and as means by which the United States could lead the world medically if regulation and bureaucracy were reduced and doctors could "explor[e] all the treatments not knowing where the next breakthrough will come from."[10] After the 2015 radio program she received renewed national attention for her 2014 statements.[11]

Using sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) as a cancer treatment is espoused by Tullio Simoncini, Ph.D. and is known as the Simoncini cancer treatment.[12] Though this method has not been proven, and no evidence suggests that it or treatment with salt water would work, if either were to be accepted under the bill's requirements it could be legally considered a non-FDA-approved treatment that a terminally ill patient in Nevada could request. The bill that Fiore introduced eight days before her 2015 show requires that the drug, product or device "must have successfully completed Phase 1 of a clinical trial" and that it "is currently being tested in a clinical trial that has been approved by the [FDA]."[13]

Controversies

Gun use against law enforcement

In April 2016, Fiore was interviewed for the KLAS 8 television show, Politics NOW. While discussing whether the 2014 armed resistance against federal agents was justified (the agents were in Bunkerville, Nevada to confiscate cattle owned by rancher Cliven Bundy because of defaulted grazing fees), she said,

"I would never, ever point my firearm at anyone, including an officer of the law, unless they pointed their firearm at me. Now, once you point your firearm at me, I’m sorry, then it becomes self-defense. So, whether you’re a stranger, a bad guy, or an officer, and you--you point your gun at me and you’re gonna shoot me and I have to decide whether it’s my life or your life, well I choose my life."[14]

In May 2016, the Nevada Association of Public Safety Officers sent a letter denouncing this statement, concluding,

"Ms. Fiore, we no longer see you as a passionate advocate for your Second Amendment rights, which we support. Rather, these comments were utterly irresponsible, an embarrassment to your District and our State, and they continue to demonstrate why you are unqualified to hold the position of United States Congresswoman."[15]

In response, Fiore told KTNV 13 Action News that her original statement referred to federal Bureau of Land Management agents, not local police. She described BLM law enforcement agents as "wannabe cops" and the BLM as "a bureaucratic agency of terrorism that terrorized Americans, especially ranchers." When pressed regarding the meaning of her previous statement, she said,

"If a rogue, unofficial BLM agent that's literally wanting to be a cop--a wannabe police officer--points a gun at me, there's gonna be a problem."[16]

Involvement in Cliven Bundy standoff

In April 2014, Fiore was interviewed by MSNBC's Chris Hayes and by Fox News's Sean Hannity regarding the armed confrontation at Bunkerville, Nevada between law enforcement officers and Cliven Bundy and his supporters. The interviews were shared thousands of times on social media. Fiore said, "The federal government should not show up with guns to collect on a debt" and called for the termination of "whoever ordered this to be done."[17][18]

Statement regarding wanting to shoot Syrian refugees herself

On November 21, 2015, on her weekly AM radio program on KDWN, Fiore explained why she had not signed a Nevada Assembly Republican caucus letter that called for a review of federal safeguards before Nevada would resettle Syrian refugees. She said, "We didn't know anything about the letter, nor did we get invited to be on the letter." She went on, "He's like, 'The Syrian refugees.' I'm like, 'What, are you kidding me? I'm about to fly to Paris and shoot 'em in the head myself.' I mean, I am not OK with Syrian refugees. I’m not OK with terrorists. I’m OK with putting them down, blacking them out. Just put a piece of brass in their ocular cavity and end their miserable life. I’m good with that."[19][20][21][22]

On December 7, 2015, she told the Associated Press, "I was not talking about the refugees." She added, "I do not want Syrian refugees in our state, period," and said that she did not trust the refugee vetting process to screen out terrorists.[2]

2016 holiday photo

In December 2015, Fiore sent her constituents a 2016 calendar, which included a family Christmas portrait under the month of December, featuring her immediate family, all holding guns, and her grandchildren, one of whom was holding what appeared to be a handgun.[23] The photo went viral on Facebook, and drew criticism for depicting a small child holding a weapon.[23]

IRS investigation

In December 2014, it was reported that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) had filed dozens of tax liens totaling about $1 million against Fiore and her home healthcare businesses, Always There 4 You and Always There Personal Care. The liens against the businesses involved unpaid employee payroll taxes. In response, Fiore stated, "I am one-hundred percent in compliance with IRS - period." Fiore blamed her ex-husband, who at one time acted as her accountant, and a former employee who stole from her while at the same time sent fraudulent documents to her current accountant to hide the embezzlement.[24]

The fallout from her issues with the IRS led to her being removed as majority leader and chairwoman of the Assembly Taxation Committee. Fiore was reinstated to her former position less than 24 hours after her removal.[25] There were reports that Fiore reacted to the removal by saying there was a war on women in the Assembly Republican Caucus. "It was a total misquote," Fiore said. "Nevada Republicans are not waging a war on women. We have a group in our caucus that are waging a war on conservatives."[26]

Voiding of home healthcare license

On November 3, 2015, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services's Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (HCQC) voided Fiore's license to operate Always There 4 You, a home healthcare service.[27][28] Always There 4 You and another Fiore-owned home healthcare service, Always There Personal Care, received about $6 million (net) in Medicaid reimbursements between 2011 and March, 2015.[29][30] Although in Nevada an unannounced inspection of such companies' business records is required to be completed every 18 months,[31] in 2013 and 2015 health department inspectors were blocked several times from reviewing the records of Always There 4 You.[27][32] They were denied access by office staff, by Fiore's mother, and both Fiore's mother and Fiore.[31][32]

In July 2015, after receiving a formal warning,[32] Fiore met with health department officials in "a so-called conciliation process that essentially gives Fiore one more chance to comply".[29] Fiore said that the meeting was "productive" and she was "prepared to welcome inspectors in the future with coffee and doughnuts."[27][31] In September 2015 an inspector found the Always There 4 You office dark and its door locked, with no notice posted on the premises explaining why. In October 2015 the Bureau sent a certified letter requesting clarification and again reminding Fiore that her license could be suspended or revoked.[33] Fiore did not reply.[27]

On November 3, after officials arrived to find another business moving into the office location, the Bureau administratively closed the Always There 4 You license and notified Fiore.[27][34] That night, Fiore issued a press release "regarding allegations that her home health care company was shut down by the government." "With the signing of a Notice Of Dissolution last week, I have completely closed my home health care business. While the media will try to tell you that my business was shut down by the government, I would like to lay that rumor to rest."[27][35]

The next day the press release contents, under the title "You're Fired, State Inspectors!" and addressed to "Friends", were published on Fiore's website.[36] "You're Fired, State Inspectors!" reproduces an article titled "When 'They' Win, We All Lose," written for a local magazine the month before, which begins, "By the time you read this, my home health care business will be a memory... It happened because 'They' won."

Do I allow these bureaucratic agencies to bully their way into my office without notice to extort money from my company claiming my files aren't perfect? Do I put up with them dictating to me, forcing me to pay ridiculous outrageous fees to stay in business, and keep growing it to continually cover the government's greed for more which will be never ending? Or do I shrug my shoulders as 'Atlas Shrugged' did and say, you can keep your unnecessary, miserable, burdensome, over-taxation, over-regulated and over legislated BS because I won't participate with you anymore? I didn't realize when I threw those overbearing inspectors out of my office just how much I've tolerated.[37]

In "You're Fired" Fiore disclosed that she had been closing down her business for eight weeks. Always There 4 You was officially dissolved November 9, 2015.[38]

Elections

Committees

  • Assembly Commerce and Labor
  • Assembly Judiciary
  • Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections
  • Assembly Transportation

[42]

References

  1. ^ "Michele Fiore's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  2. ^ a b Rindels, Michelle (December 7, 2015). "Nevada lawmaker: Shooting Comments don't apply to refugees". AP. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  3. ^ Kirkland, Allegra. Gun-Toting, Bundy-Defending Nevada GOPer Loses Congressional Race. Talking Points Memo, June 15, 2016. Retrieved June 15, 2016.
  4. ^ Kyle Roerink. "Fiore defends campus carry bill against NYC 'anti-gun nuts'". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  5. ^ "A Bid for Guns on Campuses to Deter Rape". The New York Times. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  6. ^ "A true Nevada political rise". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  7. ^ Assembly Bill No. 164 as enrolled. May 22, 2015. Nevada Legislature Retrieved December 31, 2015
  8. ^ On May 27, 2015, Governor Brian Sandoval signed the Nevada Right-to-Try Act into law, making Nevada the 18th state to pass the legislation."Nevada Becomes 18th State to Allow Terminally Ill to Access Investigational Medications". The Goldwater Institute. May 28, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  9. ^ "Nevada Becomes 18th State to Allow Terminally Ill to Access Investigational Medications". The Goldwater Institute. May 28, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  10. ^ a b c "Walk the Talk with Michele Fiore" radio broadcast, February 21, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  11. ^ a b "A lawmaker who believes saltwater and baking soda can cure cancer". Washington Post. Retrieved February 26, 2015.
  12. ^ "Sodium Bicarbonate". American Cancer Society. Archived from the original on March 3, 2015. Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  13. ^ Assembly Bill No. 164 as introduced. February 13, 2015. Nevada Legislature Retrieved December 31, 2015.
  14. ^ "Michele Fiore's April 24, 2016 interview by KLAS 8 Politics NOW". KLAS 8 TV. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "Law enforcement group tells Michele Fiore she's 'unqualified' for Congress". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "Michele Fiore's May 2016 interview by KTNV 13 Action News". KTNV 13 TV. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  17. ^ "MSNBC's Chris Hayes vs. Cliven Bundy Supporter NV Assemblywoman Michele Fiore". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved April 19, 2014.
  18. ^ "Sean Hannity interviews Assemblywoman Michele Fiore regarding Chris Hayes and Bundy Ranch". YouTube. Retrieved April 23, 2014.
  19. ^ McLaughlin, Kelly (December 6, 2015). "'It's up to Americans to protect America': Republican Nevada politician arms family with guns in controversial holiday portrait to show support for the Second Amendment". Daily Mail. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  20. ^ Lucas, Scott (December 7, 2015). "Michele Fiore says she wants to shoot Syrian refugees". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  21. ^ "Walk the Talk with Michele Fiore - Assemblywoman Michele Fiore". Assemblywoman Michele Fiore. begins at 7:07. Retrieved December 8, 2015.
  22. ^ Chokshi, Niraj (December 8, 2015). "Nevada lawmaker says 'shoot 'em in the head' remark applied to terrorists, not refugees". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 1, 2016.
  23. ^ a b Grinberg, Emanuella. "Nevada politician wishes you a Merry Christmas -- with guns." CNN.com. 2015-12-06. Retrieved 2015-12-09.
  24. ^ "Vegas assemblywoman blames employee for tax liens". The Washington Times. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  25. ^ "Michele Fiore removed from Assembly leadership positions". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved February 18, 2015.
  26. ^ "Michele Fiore discusses divide between Assembly Republicans". KVVU TV - FOX 5. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  27. ^ a b c d e f "State voiding lawmaker Michele Fiore's health care license". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  28. ^ Chereb, Sandra; Botkin, Ben (November 3, 2015). "Fiore loses license for home health care business". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  29. ^ a b "Fiore snubs, threatens state inspectors, could lose home health care license". Ralston Reports. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
  30. ^ Whaley, Sean (July 24, 2015). "State threatens Assemblywoman Fiore with business shutdown". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  31. ^ a b c "State: Assemblywoman Michele Fiore blocked inspectors at her business". LasVegasSun.com. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  32. ^ a b c Nevada DHHS, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (July 24, 2015). "Fiore-Always there for you letter.7-24.2015". Scribd. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  33. ^ Nevada DHHS, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (October 20, 2015). "Always There 4 You 10-20-15". Scribd. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  34. ^ Nevada DHHS, Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance (November 3, 2015). "November 3, 2015 Letter to Ms. Fiore". Scribd. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  35. ^ Ralston, Jon (November 5, 2015). "Fiore in danger of losing business license". Ralston Reports. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  36. ^ "You're Fired, State Inspectors!". Assemblywoman Michele Fiore. Retrieved February 15, 2016.
  37. ^ "When 'They' Win, We All Lose". Assemblywoman Michele Fiore. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  38. ^ "Entity Actions for 'ALWAYS THERE 4 YOU LLC'". Nevada Secretary of State. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
  39. ^ "Congressional results". nvsos.gov. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  40. ^ "2012 Official Statewide General Election Results November 6, 2012". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved November 18, 2013.
  41. ^ "2014 Official Statewide General Election Results November 4, 2014". Carson City, Nevada: Secretary of State of Nevada. Retrieved November 18, 2014.
  42. ^ "State of Nevada - Legislator Information". Carson City, Nevada: State of Nevada. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
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