Ex-Charlotte council member to surrender to federal prison in 7 days

Tiawana Brown, a former Charlotte City Council member, announced in a video posted October 21 that she has seven days to self-surrender to federal prison, WBTV reported. Brown served on the council representing District 3 from 2023 to 2025 before losing in the September 2025 primary election.

Brown was sentenced on September 22 to 10 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud related to COVID relief funds. The charges stemmed from a conspiracy with her two daughters to fraudulently obtain at least $146,665 from Small Business Administration programs, including the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Paycheck Protection Program, according to WBTV.

Federal prosecutors said Brown and her daughters submitted at least 13 applications for relief funds between 2020 and 2021 and used the money for personal expenses, including a $15,000 birthday party. Brown and her daughters were also ordered to repay approximately $137,000 in restitution, with Brown having already paid $20,833 by the sentencing date.

Despite the indictment in May 2025, Brown did not resign from her council seat and continued to serve until her primary defeat. She had a prior fraud conviction in the 1990s and was sentenced by Judge Kenneth Bell, who noted public frustration with fraud during desperate times.

Brown's daughters received probation sentences on the same day Brown was sentenced, WBTV reported. The case highlights local impacts of federal COVID relief fraud prosecutions in the Charlotte area.