Former Charlotte Council Member Tiawana Brown Sentenced to 10 Months for Federal Wire Fraud
Former Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown has been sentenced to 10 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud. Brown was indicted in May 2025 and initially pleaded not guilty before accepting a plea deal. The sentencing took place in Charlotte federal court on September 22. Following the sentencing, Brown expressed strong dissatisfaction on social media, claiming the judge 'had it out for me' and calling the sentence 'personal.' The fraud scheme involved illegally obtaining tens of thousands of dollars in PPP and small business loans, with some funds reportedly used for a $15,000 birthday party. Brown's daughters were also indicted in the scheme but received probation. Brown had previously served federal prison time in the 1990s for fraud charges and refused to resign from her council position after her 2025 indictment, serving out the remainder of her term.
