Ex-Charlotte City Council member sentenced to prison

Former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown was sentenced to 10 months in prison on Tuesday, months after she pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, reported our news partners at WBTV.

Why it matters: Brown fraudulently obtained tens of thousands of dollars in COVID relief and other small business loan funds. Part of that money was spent on a $15,000 birthday party.

Catch up quick: Brown was indicted in May 2025. She initially pleaded not guilty before a plea deal was worked out in January, and she changed her plea in February.

Her daughters were also indicted in the scheme and sentenced to probation.

Flashback: Brown served one term on council after winning her District 3 seat in 2023. She was ousted in the September 2025 primary, when current council member Joi Mayo beat her.

Brown — who spent time in prison in the 1990s on fraud charges — did not resign from her city council seat following the May 2025 indictment. She continued until her term expired near the end of 2025.