News Summary
Tiawana Brown, a Charlotte City Council member, and her two daughters have been indicted for COVID-19 relief fraud. They allegedly submitted false loan applications for over $124,000 intended for pandemic relief programs. The funds were reportedly misused for personal expenses, including a birthday party. If convicted, they face significant prison time. This case highlights ongoing concerns over the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds, as Brown insists the indictment is a political attack during her re-election campaign.
Charlotte – Tiawana Brown, a 53-year-old member of the Charlotte City Council, has been indicted for COVID-19 relief fraud alongside her two daughters, Tijema Brown, 30, and Antionette Rouse, 33. The indictment was announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina on May 22, 2025. All three women face serious charges of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud, accused of defrauding federal relief programs intended to assist businesses impacted by the pandemic.
The allegations state that between April 2020 and September 2021, prior to Brown’s election to the City Council in November 2023, the defendants submitted at least fifteen false loan applications. These applications were made to both the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), resulting in the unlawful acquisition of over $124,000 in funds.
According to the charges, Tiawana Brown used a portion of the COVID relief funds to finance her own birthday party, which included extravagant expenses related to the venue, catering, and decorations. If convicted, all three women could potentially face up to 20 years in prison for each charge related to their fraudulent activities.
The indictment details how the fraudulent applications included misleading information about business income and employee counts, with claims that the businesses listed in the applications did not exist. Investigators found inconsistencies among the documents submitted, further bolstering the case against the defendants.
In a significant twist, Tiawana Brown’s past includes a conviction for fraud where she served four years in federal prison in 1994 for similar charges. Despite this history, Brown has framed the current indictment as a political attack on her re-election efforts. She has asserted that she voluntarily repaid $20,833 of the fraudulently obtained funds upon learning about the federal investigation into her activities.
Additionally, Tiawana Brown previously started a non-profit organization titled “Beauty After The Bars.” However, records indicate that its non-profit status was revoked in 2020 before being reinstated in 2023. Her statements following the indictment indicated her resolve to remain in office, emphasizing that no conviction had been made and that she was elected to serve her community.
This case shines a light on ongoing issues related to the misuse of COVID-19 relief funds, with Brown noting disparities in responses to civil charges against other individuals accused of similar infractions. The discrimination between criminal and civil repercussions for pandemic-related fraud continues to be a topic of discussion among lawmakers and community members.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the community of Charlotte remains watchful, weighing the implications of this case not only on Brown’s political future but on the broader integrity of public service. Legal experts have indicated that the severity of the charges, combined with the substantial amount of money involved, may result in significant legal consequences for the defendants.
The indictment of Tiawana Brown and her daughters represents a notable case in the landscape of COVID-19 relief fund fraud, highlighting issues of accountability and the importance of safeguarding government resources intended for public assistance.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- ABC 11 News
- Wikipedia: COVID-19 Pandemic
- USA Today
- Google Search: COVID-19 relief fraud
- Charlotte Observer
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fraud
- WBTV News
- Google Scholar: CITY COUNCIL FRAUD
- WSOC TV News
- Google News: Tiawana Brown
Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
