A Charlotte city councilor has been indicted on federal charges involving an alleged scheme to obtain over $100,000 in COVID-19 relief funds, according to federal prosecutors.

What You Need To Know

Council member Tiawana Brown, of Charlotte City Council District 3, and two of her daughters are facing federal indictments

They're accused of committing wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud involving fraudulent applications filed to collect roughly $124,000 in COVID-19 pandemic relief funds

The alleged incidents took place between April 2020 and September 2021

Brown denies the fraud allegations and said she paid back the money

Council member Tiawana Brown, of District 3, and her daughters, Tijema Brown and Antionette Rouse, are accused of committing wire fraud conspiracy and wire fraud involving fraudulent applications filed to collect roughly $124,000 in COVID pandemic relief funds, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina Russ Furguson said.

The charges were made public Thursday morning.

At a press conference Thursday morning, Tiawana Brown said she has already paid the money back. 

“A few months ago, when I found out, it was brought to my attention that there might be some scrutiny going on with the application, I paid it back —  $20,833. That is the amount that I’m responsible for,” Brown said. 

Brown was convicted on federal fraud charges in the 1990s.

In a statement leading up to the release of charges, Brown said in part: “I am not here to be tried in the media. However, I must address the allegations against me by the United States District Court. I will have my day in court, and I trust the process.”

The charges stem from events that took place between April 2020 and September 2021, according to the release. Officials said the fraudulent applications were filed with the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program and its Paycheck Protection Program.

The applications generally included fake and fraudulent tax forms and other misleading information, the release said.

Brown said the alleged incidents took place four to five years before she took her oath of office. She was elected in November 2023 and sworn into office in December 2023.

“I want to be clear: these allegations concern actions that took place before I took office,” Brown said in her statement. “I have always been transparent about my past and have worked tirelessly to serve my community with integrity and dedication.”

If convicted, Brown and her daughters could face a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each offense charged in the indictment.