Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown loses in primary following federal fraud charges

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Nearly four months after being handed federal fraud charges, Charlotte City Councilwoman Tiawana Brown has been voted out. 

Brown, the Democrat who represents District 3 covering southwest and far-western Charlotte, lost to Joi Mayo in Tuesday’s primary by a wide margin. Mayo took 49.5 percent of the vote to Brown’s 25. Warren Turner was right behind her with 22 percent. 

In May, the incumbent pleaded not guilty to federal wire fraud charges related to COVID-19 relief funds. Her two daughters also are facing similar charges. 

Federal prosecutors allege that the three used fake tax documents to fraudulently obtain nearly $125,000 in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans during the pandemic. 

“I am the city councilmember that was elected for the people, by the people,” she said following her plea. “You don’t lose respect for allegations.” 

Despite being adamant about staying in her race for re-election, she won’t reach November’s ballot.

In 2023, she defeated Republican James Bowers by a 78-21 margin after ousting Turner in the previous Primary. 

Brown was one of two Charlotte incumbents to lose Tuesday. Marjorie Molina of District 3 in east Charlotte, narrowly lost to Juan Diego (J.D.) Mazuera Arias; however, all results are unofficial.

Brown spent time in prison in the early 1990s, which she has been open about. But since her release, she has run a charity known as Beauty After The Bars – an organization that helps those who have been incarcerated.