Tiawana Brown PPP fraud plea deal follows allegations of personal spending with relief money
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Charlotte City Council woman and convict, Tiawana Brown has agreed to a plea deal in her federal wire fraud case, after prosecutors say pandemic relief money meant to help struggling businesses was instead funneled into personal spending — including a lavish $15,000 birthday party thrown for herself.
Court documents show Brown has agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy, bringing a major update to a case that’s been hanging over her name since before she ever won a seat on city council.
Federal prosecutors allege Brown and her two daughters took advantage of COVID-era relief programs, applying for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) funds — then allegedly treated the money like a personal piggy bank.
Charlotte Councilwoman Tiawana Brown Indicted Along With Daughters For $124K Covid Relief Fraud
According to the factual basis filed with the court, Brown received $43,333 in fraud proceeds and tried to score an additional $20,000. Instead of using the money for payroll or business expenses, the feds say Brown spent it on herself.
One month after receiving more than $20,000 in PPP funds, Brown allegedly dropped around $15,000 on her own birthday celebration — a move prosecutors say blatantly violated loan terms.
Federal filings state the conspiracy caused losses between $40,000 and $95,000, and Brown’s attorney signed off on the facts, confirming that she does not dispute them.
While Brown has agreed to the plea deal, the details remain sealed, keeping the public in the dark about the full terms. She still has to formally enter her guilty plea in court, and no court date has been set.
“I Wanted to Get This Behind Me”
In a statement to reporters following the filing, Brown said the deal allows her to move on.
“I wanted to get this behind me and it’s an agreement where the U.S. prosecution has agreed to probation,” Brown said.
Hopefully, there will be no more fraud or scams in Brown’s future.
