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Mom, Daughters Used COVID Relief Funds to Throw $15,000 Birthday Party, DOJ Says
- On May 22, 2025, Tiawana Brown and her daughters, Tijema Brown and Antionette Rouse, all residents of Charlotte, were formally charged by a federal grand jury with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and wire fraud related to fraudulent COVID relief loan applications.
- The indictment charges the defendants with submitting at least 15 false COVID relief loan applications to defraud the SBA's EIDL and PPP programs between April 2020 and September 2021.
- The defendants are accused of securing over $124,000 in pandemic relief funds intended for legitimate business costs, but allegedly diverted the money to cover personal expenses, including around $15,000 spent on a birthday celebration for Tiawana Brown.
- U.S. Attorney Russ Ferguson stated the defendants falsely obtained at least $124,165, and if convicted, each faces up to 20 years in prison per offense with sentencing by a federal judge.
- Councilmember Brown, elected in 2023 and the first formerly incarcerated person on Charlotte City Council, denies wrongdoing and says the allegations predate her term and she will not resign.
45 Articles
45 Articles
North Carolina councilwoman pleads not guilty to COVID fraud charges, refuses to resign
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- City Councilmember Tiawana Brown is speaking out and standing her ground after pleading not guilty to federal wire fraud charges related to COVID-19 relief funds. Brown, who represents Charlotte's 3rd District, made her first court appearance Friday morning alongside her two daughters, who are also facing charges. Federal prosecutors allege that Tiawana Brown, Tijema Brown, and Antoinette Rouse used fake tax docume…
Charlotte council member, daughters indicted for misusing COVID funds, including $15,000 birthday bash
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A sitting Charlotte City Council member and her two daughters are facing federal charges after being indicted for allegedly misusing COVID-19 relief funds, including spending thousands on a lavish birthday party. Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, along with her daughters Tijema Brown and Antionette Rouse, have been indicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors said they tried to scam federal COVID relief prog…
NC council member, daughters indicted for misusing COVID funds, including $15K birthday bash
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) -- A sitting Charlotte City Council member and her two daughters are facing federal charges after being indicted for allegedly misusing COVID-19 relief funds, including spending thousands on a lavish birthday party. Councilwoman Tiawana Brown, along with her daughters Tijema Brown and Antionette Rouse, have been indicted on wire fraud and conspiracy charges. Prosecutors said they tried to scam federal COVID relief pro…
Mooresville man sentenced to 45 months in prison for defrauding investors and stealing millions in COVID relief funds
Special to IFN A Mooresville man was sentenced to serve 45 months in federal prison on Thursday for orchestrating a $6.1 million investment fraud scheme and for fraudulently obtaining more
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