Could 23, 2025
Tiawana Brown was arrested, alongside along with her daughters, Tijema Brown and Antionette Rouse and are dealing with a most sentence of 40 years if convicted of wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud
Costs have been filed towards three ladies, together with Charlotte Metropolis Councilmember Tiawana Brown, who have been accused of falsely acquiring COVID-19 reduction funds and utilizing a number of the cash to throw a lavish celebration for one of many alleged perpetrators.
The U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace of the Western District of North Carolina introduced {that a} federal grand jury in Charlotte has indicted Brown, 53, and her daughters, Tijema Brown, 30, and Antionette Rouse, 33, who all reside in Charlotte. They have been every charged with wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud for submitting fraudulent purposes whereas submitting for COVID-19 reduction funds.
United States District Legal professional Russ Ferguson made the announcement.
The three ladies are accused of defrauding the Small Enterprise Administration’s (SBA) Financial Harm Catastrophe Mortgage (EIDL) program and the Paycheck Safety Program (PPP) supplied to companies affected by the results of closing down in the course of the pandemic. They allegedly dedicated the acts between April 2020 and September 2021 after they utilized for the COVID pandemic reduction funds for his or her companies. They submitted mortgage purposes that had false info and/or false documentation.
The ladies allegedly submitted at the least 15 purposes for EIDL or PPP funds and obtained at the least $124,165 based mostly on what was provided on the purposes. As an alternative of utilizing the funds for enterprise functions, they’re accused of depositing the cash into financial institution accounts that have been managed by the defendants. The three ladies allegedly used the cash obtained on private bills, together with allegedly spending about $15,000 on a celebration for Tiawana.
#NEW: simply obtained our fingers on the indictment
In it, the feds say Brown paid $15,000 on a celebration for herself utilizing the Magnificence After The Bars (her non-profit) checking account, which contained the PPP mortgage funds.
It included a horse-drawn carriage and extra. @JoeBrunoWSOC9 pic.twitter.com/CF53yL85As
— Hunter Sáenz (@Hunt_Saenz) Could 22, 2025
If convicted, they’re dealing with a most sentence of 20 years in jail for every cost.
In keeping with WSOC, Tiawana is a Charlotte Metropolis Councilmember who represents District 3 and has been serving on the council since being elected in 2023. She was the primary previously incarcerated individual to be elected to the Charlotte Metropolis Council. She beforehand served 4 years in jail on federal fraud fees.
All three ladies have been launched on $25,000 unsecured bonds.
Tiawana launched a press release concerning the alleged crimes:
“I need to be clear: these allegations concern actions that passed off earlier than I took workplace,” Brown mentioned. “I’ve all the time been clear about my previous and have labored tirelessly to serve my neighborhood with integrity and dedication.”
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