Charlotte council member indicted for alleged COVID fund misuse

This collection of reporting by The Charlotte Observer summarizes the case of Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown, who faces federal charges for allegedly misusing over $124,000 in COVID relief funds, including $15,000 spent on a birthday party with a throne and a horse-drawn carriage.

Brown and her two daughters, also charged, are accused of submitting false pandemic loan applications and using the money for personal expenses like luxury items. Despite pleading not guilty and calling the indictment a political attack, Brown has avoided answering detailed questions about the case at public events and insists she will not resign.

State and local rules do not require her to step down while under indictment, but the charges raise concerns over transparency and leadership on the council. Some residents and political experts say her reluctance to fully address the allegations threatens public trust and could impact her reelection chances.

Read the stories below.

NO. 1: CHARLOTTE COUNCIL MEMBER INDICTED ON FEDERAL COVID LOAN FRAUD CHARGES

The council member and her two daughters are accused of filing false applications to get over $124,000 in PPP loan money from the government. | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Julia Coin

Tiawana Brown is sworn in during the Swearing-in Ceremony for Charlotte City Council at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center in Charlotte, N.C., on Monday, December 4, 2023. By Khadejeh Nikouyeh

NO. 2: WHO IS TIAWANA BROWN? CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FACING WIRE FRAUD INDICTMENT

Charlotte’s U.S. attorney announced charges against Brown early Thursday. | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey

Judge wooden gavel with dollar money banknote concept for bribery

NO. 3: HOW COVID RELIEF FUNDS WERE MEANT TO BE USED, AND HOW THEY WERE MISUSED

PPP loans were intended to help small businesses struggling to survive in the midst of COVID shutdowns. | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Chase Jordan

“I want to be a part of a city council that has transparency; that our voters and our constituents know that when we’re negotiating deals, we’re negotiating their best interests. And I don’t think we’re doing that with this,” says Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown before displaying a pie chart illustrating 50% of public opnion in opposition (blue) and 29% in favor (orange) to approve $650 million in tax payer money for renovations to Bank of America Stadium. By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

NO. 4: YET ANOTHER CONTROVERSY HITS CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL AS TIAWANA BROWN IS INDICTED

Just weeks after a secretive police chief settlement, Charlotte’s City Council faces more heat, now with felony charges against member Tiawana Brown. | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Nora O’Neill

NO. 5: INDICTED CHARLOTTE COUNCIL MEMBER SAYS SHE WON’T RESIGN. SHE SHOULD RECONSIDER. | OPINION

The allegations are worrying and cast doubt on Brown’s ability to effectively serve on the council. | Opinion | Published May 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by the Editorial Board

Tiawana Brown, founder of Beauty After The Bars, speaks at her open house, Thursday April 13 2023 in Mint Hill NC. By Kallie Cox

NO. 6: TIAWANA BROWN SAYS SHE WON’T RESIGN. WHAT DO STATE, LOCAL RULES SAY ON INDICTMENT?

Charlotte’s U.S. attorney announced charge against City Council member Tiawana Brown on Thursday. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey

City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown leaves the courthouse in Uptown Charlotte after her hearing for indictment on federal COVID loan fraud charges on Friday, May 23, 2025. By Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez

NO. 7: ‘I’M STILL VERY WELL RESPECTED,’ TIAWANA BROWN SAYS AFTER FIRST COURT APPEARANCE

A judge denied their request to keep their passports so they could travel while they await trial. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ryan Oehrli

NO. 8: SEE THE FULL INDICTMENT AGAINST CHARLOTTE CITY COUNCIL MEMBER TIAWANA BROWN

Brown faces charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. | Published May 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey

Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown thanks a constituent for their question during a town hall meeting at Good Shepherd Church in Charlotte, NC on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. Brown was indicted on federal charges last week. By JEFF SINER

NO. 9: CHARLOTTE COUNCILWOMAN TIAWANA BROWN LARGELY AVOIDS DISCUSSING INDICTMENT AT TOWN HALL

Brown was indicted last week on charges of wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy. | Published May 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mary Ramsey

From a court filing: One of the daughters of Charlotte City Council Member Tiawana Brown asked a judge for permission to vacation in Jamaica. Daughter Tijema Brown is also facing criminal charges.

NO. 10: TIAWANA BROWN’S DAUGHTER ASKS JUDGE FOR PERMISSION TO GO TO JAMAICAN RESORT

The council member and her two daughters are accused of defrauding the public of COVID-19 relief funds intended for businesses. | Published June 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Ryan Oehrli

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.