Former Charlotte City Council member to begin prison sentence Oct. 28

Former Charlotte City Council member Tiwana Brown is scheduled to report to a federal prison in South Carolina at noon on Wednesday, October 28, according to WBTV.

Brown served on the Charlotte City Council from 2023 to 2025 and was sentenced in September by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell to 10 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud conspiracy. She fraudulently obtained nearly $150,000 in COVID-19 relief funds in 2020.

Brown previously served time in prison over 30 years ago for similar crimes and expressed surprise at having to return. She spent the night before reporting to prison with family, supporters, and close friends, who offered emotional support.

While Brown begins her sentence, her two daughters remain on probation after also being charged with fraud. Brown expressed a mother's love, saying she would go to jail for her daughters every day.

Brown said she believed she would only serve probation, but the judge did not agree. She also said she felt the punishment was harsher because she was an elected official at the time of the indictment, though she denied any corruption under her oath.

She stated she is not asking for special treatment but wants to be treated fairly as she surrenders to the court's decision.