Charlotte City Councilmember Tiawana Brown spoke to the media Thursday about her indictment on federal charges connected to COVID relief money.
CHARLOTTE, NC – Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown and her daughters have been indicted on federal charges connected to COVID pandemic relief funds.
Brown along with Tijema Brown and Antionette Rouse are charged with wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud announced Russ Ferguson, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, on Thursday.
The women are accused of falsely getting more than $124,000 from the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and its Paycheck Protection Program between April 2020 and September 2021.
The indictment says $15,000 of that money went to pay for a birthday party for Tiawana Brown.
The Democrat was elected to represent District 3 in November of 2023.
Brown released a statement saying, “I want to be clear: these allegations concern actions that took place before I took office. I have always been transparent about my past and have worked tirelessly to serve my community with integrity and dedication,” said Council Member Brown.
During a news conference Thursday morning Brown said when she found out there was a discrepancy in PPP paperwork filled out by a third party, she paid back $20,833 in relief money.
“I am committed to continuing my work for the residents of District 3,” Ms. Brown added. “I trust in the legal process and am confident that the truth will come to light.”
If convicted, the women face maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for each offense charged in the indictment.
