Indicted Charlotte council member says former staffer leaked ‘test’ election email
Indicted Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown on Tuesday accused a former campaign staffer of leaking a “test” email that led to reports she wasn’t running for reelection.
Brown, who represents west Charlotte’s District 3 and faces wire fraud charges, said she still plans to run in 2025 when contacted about a WSOC-TV report that she wouldn’t seek reelection.
The email “should have never been released,” Brown said. She promised to tell the media if she changes her election plans. The email was only sent to Colette Forrest, a former campaign consultant, Brown told The Charlotte Observer.
“She leaked it. You have my permission to print this. Clearly I cannot trust her,” Brown said in a text message. “She is the only person that I sent the email to.”
Forrest told the Observer she’s worked on Brown’s previous campaigns and that the council member sent her emails before to be shared with the media and Forrest’s voter database.
Forrest said she was “heartbroken and hurt and saddened” Brown wasn’t running after seeing Tuesday’s email and mentioned her feelings during a conversation with a reporter about Monday night’s council meeting.
“I later on find out she was testing me, and I’m like, ‘Am I a lab rat?’” Forrest told the Observer.
Forrest said she’s “perplexed” by the situation.
“I had no idea that this was a fake news email,” she said.
Brown, a first-term Democrat, was indicted last month on federal wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy charges. Charlotte’s U.S. attorney alleges Brown and her two adult daughters falsified applications for federal pandemic loans and spent the money on personal expenses, including a lavish birthday party for Brown.
All three pleaded not guilty at their first court appearance.
Brown said after the indictment she wouldn’t resign from office and would run again. She’s eligible to run “until convicted of a felony,” Mecklenburg County Board of Elections spokeswoman Kristin Mavromatis previously told the Observer. An indictment is not proof of guilt, and Brown has not yet received a trial.
A pair of candidates have already announced their campaigns: former Elizabeth City Councilman Montravias King and community activist Joi Mayo.
Candidate filing officially opens July 7, and the primary election is scheduled for Sept. 9.
Tiawana Brown campaign email
The full email is as follows:
Hello, Family, Colleagues Constituents and Faithful Supporters of District 3,
It is with a humble and heavy heart that I share this message with you today.
On Thursday, May 21st, my life changed forever. After much prayer, reflection, and deep conversations with my family, I have made the difficult decision not to seek re-election.
The past three weeks have been overwhelmingly painful—for me, for my family, and for those who love and support me. The media smear campaigns, the hate, the silence of some I once called friends—all of it has been a storm. But through it all, we stood. We survived. We fought.
If there’s one thing you know about the woman you elected, it’s this: I am a truth-teller and a fierce defender of justice. I have never backed down from a fight rooted in love and truth. I was born into struggle—and I have risen through it, again and again.
It’s easy for people to pass judgment when they don’t understand how the criminal legal system works. That’s exactly why I’ve chosen to live my life as an open book—and why I’ve dedicated myself to fighting against a system that was never designed for us.
As of now, two individuals—Mr. Montravias King and Ms. Joi Mayo—are seeking the District 3 seat. I want to be clear: I will not be endorsing anyone in this race.
I will stay in the seat that you put me in until my term ends in December 2025.
Many of you have sent cards, flowers, messages, and made personal visits encouraging me to run again. Please know: this decision was not made lightly. I carry your love with me as I take the next steps.
I look forward to what the future holds. I will remain present, active, and deeply rooted in the community that raised and supported me. I am committed to continuing to serve, to heal, and to walk through this legal battle with my head held high and my faith unwavering.
All my life I’ve had to fight. And when we fight, we win.
Until the next chapter—thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
With love and patience,
Councilwoman Dr. Tiawana Brown
District 3, Charlotte City Council
This story was originally published June 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM.
