Last year, I wrote about the burgeoning violent crime problem in the city of Charlotte. The trend of rising homicides that I highlighted continued, with the city recording 21 more homicides in 2024 than in 2023. Despite this concern, Charlotte continues to grow and attract hundreds of jobs. As Charlotte grows, the issue of violent crime will only intensify.
However, public safety is not the only problem facing the Mint City. Charlotte is currently in search of a clear identity. A common problem for modern cities like Charlotte is that they lack culture, history, and originality. While I believe Charlotte to be a wonderful city, it’s hard to ignore how “cookie-cutter” the recent development has gotten.
While Charlotte continues to grapple with these issues, City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown recently made national headlines after her indictment on federal wire fraud charges. Brown is no stranger to white-collar crime, having been indicted in 1993 on similar fraud charges. After serving four years in prison, she began a nonprofit, Beauty After the Bars, to support formerly incarcerated women. In her bio, she describes herself as a “victim of mass incarceration.”
Brown is accused of conspiring to commit wire fraud by using false documents to defraud the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. The EIDL was intended to support small businesses that were seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns. Prosecutors allege Brown secured more than $100,000 in loan money and spent it on luxury items, including a Louis Vuitton bag and a $15,000 birthday party with a horse-drawn carriage — all at taxpayers’ expense.
When questioned about the misuse of the funds, Brown simply responded, “I paid it back.” She did pay it back, but only after being notified of the investigation.
Brown has been indicted alongside her two children, and together they face 20 years in prison for each offense. Brown has fiercely denied the charges, pleading not guilty. She points to the owners of Gaston County’s Hillbilly’s Barbeque and Steaks for not facing criminal charges for a similar indictment.
Brown appeared at a press conference last week, defending herself against the charges. In the press conference, Brown said that justice doesn’t “always love people who look like me.” Sitting beside her, local activist Cedric Dean added, “The other company (Hillbilly’s) is sitting over there … and to do an attack on this Black woman who paid it back.”
The duo not only ignores the fact that the investigation began under an African-American woman, but also the fact that there have been 35 similar indictments in North Carolina’s Western District. This is also a repeat offense for Brown, who built her political career around a narrative of personal redemption.
Brown refuses to step down, denying a felony plea deal that would require her to resign her seat. The councilwoman seems defiant, despite the evidence produced and the lackluster defense. Brown and her defense have attempted to reframe this issue of fraud and corruption into an issue of race, but so far the public and media remain unconvinced.
As for the city, Mayor Vi Lyles has yet to comment, and a city spokesperson only offered a statement claiming the city had nothing to do with the alleged fraud. Despite this, the city and its mayor will have to face these claims. While it is true that the alleged fraud happened before Brown was elected, it still reflects poorly on the city.
The indictment occurs simultaneously with the current settlement crisis involving CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings, which has prompted a vote of no confidence and an investigation by the state auditor. Charlotte is facing the growing pains of a city — crime and corruption. As the city leadership is tested, we can only hope the good people of Charlotte are represented earnestly in city hall.