Charlotte Councilwoman Indicted in COVID Loan Fraud

Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown and her two daughters have been indicted on federal wire fraud charges for allegedly submitting at least 15 fraudulent loan applications to obtain over $124,000 in COVID-19 relief funds before Brown's election. Prosecutors claim the applications included fake tax forms and false statements to secure funds from the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, with some money spent on personal expenses, such as a $15,000 birthday party. Brown, who was previously incarcerated for fraud in the 1990s, contends the charges are politically motivated and unrelated to her council service, and states she has since repaid the disputed funds. The indictment comes amid heightened scrutiny of the Charlotte City Council's transparency following other recent controversies. If convicted, Brown and her daughters each face up to 20 years in prison per charge. The case has drawn comparisons to previous high-profile corruption scandals in Charlotte.