A former North Carolina lawmaker has admitted to fraudulently obtaining pandemic relief funds and using a significant portion of the money to finance an opulent birthday party for herself. Tiawana Brown, 54, who previously served on the Charlotte City Council, changed her plea to guilty on federal charges related to COVID-19 loan fraud.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
Prosecutors alleged that Brown, along with her two daughters, Antoinette Rouse, 33, and Tijema Brown, 32, submitted false documentation to secure nearly $125,000 in pandemic relief funds between April 2020 and September 2021. The indictment detailed how approximately one month after receiving a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan of $20,833, Brown spent $15,000 on a lavish birthday celebration.
Extravagant Party Expenditures
Court documents outlined the specific costs associated with the birthday party, which included:
- Approximately $3,500 for a venue hire
- $5,000 for catering services
- $2,300 for photography and video recording
- A balloon arch and rose wall decorations
- A rented throne for the guest of honour
- A horse-drawn carriage for transportation
Prosecutors further claimed that Brown and her daughters used additional fraudulently obtained funds to purchase luxury Louis Vuitton merchandise.
Legal Proceedings and Background
Brown was initially indicted in May on federal fraud charges and had previously pleaded not guilty. During the ongoing court battle, she lost her primary re-election race in September. However, recent court records indicate she has now reached a plea agreement with prosecutors.
A Factual Basis court document confirmed that Brown expressly agreed there was sufficient evidence to support her guilty plea. In a statement, Brown expressed her desire to move past the case, noting the prosecution had agreed to probation rather than prison time. She later posted on social media, asserting her confidence in avoiding incarceration.
Previous Fraud Conviction and Activism
This is not Brown's first encounter with fraud charges. She previously served four years in federal prison during the 1990s for similar offences. Notably, she was pregnant with her youngest daughter, Tijema, at sentencing and gave birth while incarcerated.
Following her release, Brown founded a charity called Beauty After the Bars, positioning herself as a survivor of mass incarceration. Her organisation focuses on addressing injustices faced by women in the prison system and advocating for systemic change. Brown has been actively involved in Democratic political campaigns, including serving as a Community Advocate Coordinator during the 2012 Democratic Convention and sharing photographs of herself with prominent figures such as Kamala Harris.
A date for the formal plea hearing and sentencing has not yet been scheduled. The case highlights concerns about the misuse of pandemic relief funds intended to support businesses and individuals during the COVID-19 crisis.
