Charlotte City Council

Tiawana Brown quickly became one of the most progressive members of the Charlotte City Council since being elected in 2023.

Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown and her two adult daughters were indicted in May. The U.S. Attorney's Office says the women fraudulently obtained $124,000 in COVID-relief loans.

Tiawana Brown became the first formerly incarcerated person to the elected to the Charlotte City Council in 2023. But her hard-won redemption story may be upended. She and her two adult daughters were indicted in May for wire fraud and wire fraud conspiracy, related to COVID-era relief loans they obtained.

Mayor Lyles’ tiebreaking vote made the proposal moot — Charlotte won’t even take the anodyne step of referring it to a City Council committee for study. The issue is complicated.

Interim Charlotte City Attorney Anthony Fox plans to launch an investigation into inflammatory comments City Council member Victoria Watlington made last month about the city’s $305,000 settlement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings. But Watlington is continuing to push back — she doesn’t want Fox investigating himself.

Charlotte City Council heard from residents of a mobile home park off Prosperity Church Road, who spoke out Monday against a rezoning petition they say would force them out of their homes.

“This has been one of the most difficult six days of my life,” Charlotte City Council member Tiawana Brown said at Wednesday's town hall. “But I want you to hear directly from me. I’m still here. I’m still fighting, and I’m still serving."

A majority of the Charlotte City Council voted in closed session to give police Chief Johnny Jennings a $305,000 settlement. Nearly $60,000 of that money will increase his pension.