A former North Carolina city councilwoman, Tiawana Brown, 55, is set to avoid prison time after pleading guilty to charges related to the fraudulent acquisition of over $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds. Brown admitted to using at least $15,000 of the stolen money for her birthday celebration.
Brown pleaded guilty earlier this year to wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud for submitting false information to federal programs. According to court documents, the scheme, which she conducted with her two daughters, Tijema and Antionette Rouse, began in April 2020 and continued until September 2021. They falsified records, including tax forms and income reports, to secure funds from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The indictment detailed lavish expenditures from the defrauded funds, including approximately $3,500 for a venue, $5,000 for catering, and $2,300 for photography and video services for her birthday party. Other purchases included items like a balloon arch, a rose wall, a rented throne, and a horse-drawn carriage.
Brown's lawyers have reached a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, which reportedly suggests no prison sentence. Her sentencing is scheduled for September 22 before US District Judge Kenneth Bell. Her daughters have also pleaded guilty to related charges. Tijema pleaded guilty in April, and Antoinette reached a plea agreement over the summer. Antoinette was ordered to forfeit $51,666 to the government following her guilty plea.
Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Brown has remained active on social media. She posted photos from a summer party at her home and celebrated her 55th birthday on June 12. In August, she shared images from city council chambers, stating, "Don’t need a title to serve the people." She has also posted photos from Democratic campaign events, including a selfie with Kamala Harris from 2024.
This is not Brown's first encounter with the justice system. She previously served four years in federal prison for fraud charges in the 1990s. During that time, she was pregnant with her youngest daughter, Tijema, and gave birth while incarcerated, which she has cited as inspiration for her charity, Beauty After the Bars. She made history in 2023 as the first formerly incarcerated woman to serve on the Charlotte City Council. Brown lost her re-election bid in 2025 amid the ongoing fraud investigation.
In a prior statement this year, Brown indicated her agreement to probation, writing on Facebook, "Gods Favor is #unbreakable. It’s sad some of ya’ll thought I was going to prison."