Politics
Tiawana Brown says she plans to report to prison next week
The former Charlotte council member said in a social media video that she has seven days to surrender. Brown is serving a 10-month federal sentence after pleading guilty in a COVID-relief loan fraud case.
Former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown said Wednesday, Oct. 21, that she has one week to surrender to federal prison, where she is scheduled to serve a 10-month sentence for wire fraud.
“My spirits [are] still up,” Brown said in a video posted that day, despite the approaching surrender date. Her statement indicates she is expected to report around Oct. 28.
Brown, who represented District 3 from 2023 to 2025, was sentenced Sept. 22. She and her two daughters pleaded guilty earlier this year to federal wire fraud charges stemming from applications for COVID-19 relief loans.
Federal prosecutors said the family submitted at least 13 applications for Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan funds between 2020 and 2021, obtaining at least $146,665. Prosecutors said the money was used for personal expenses rather than eligible business costs, including a $15,000 birthday party.
Brown and her daughters were ordered to repay about $137,000 to the Small Business Administration. Brown had paid $20,833 by the time of sentencing. Her daughters received probation.
“These [relief] programs [were] set up at a time of great desperation for a lot of people,” U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell said in a statement when announcing the sentence. “The public is tired of being ripped off.”
Brown was indicted with her daughters in May 2025. She remained on the council after the indictment and served until her term ended late that year. She lost her bid for re-election in the September 2025 primary to Joi Mayo.