Gladys Knight’s Chicken & Waffles Restaurants Raided

Gladys Knight

The Georgia Department of Revenue raided Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurants in the metro Atlanta area, according to Channel 2 Action News. Gladys Knight’s son, who runs the operation, is reportedly at the center of an investigation involving $1 million.

Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne asked Georgia Department of Revenue Special Investigations Chief Jeff Mitchell.

Gladys Knight is not accused of any (wrongdoing)? She’s totally in the clear?

Shanga Hankerson

To this, Mitchell answered,

Totally in the clear, nothing about her. Shanga Hankerson is her son.

The Department of Revenue hit all three locations of the signature restaurant — midtown Atlanta, Lithonia and off of Cascade Road. Mitchell says neither Knight nor any other restaurant employees face criminal charges. But a warrant is charging Hangerson, the chain’s owner and Gladys’ son, with felonies, saying not all the money involved is in the warrants.

Agent Josh Waites explains, 

Shanga’s accused of stealing over 650,000 in both sales and withholding tax. (With) penalties and interest, it’s up to over $1 million owed.

Waites alleges that the raids were done because they are in search of records cap years of efforts to collect money paid by customers for sales tax or withheld from employees. Waites adds,

We’ve had over two dozen payment plans with him and he’s defaulted on every single one.

A Gladys Knight spokesperson states

Gladys Knight lent her name to her son’s restaurants in the Atlanta area, similar to a celebrity endorsement. Ms. Knight was not involved in any way with the operation of the restaurants and she is sure that her son and his business partners will rectify the situation. As always, her main concern is for her family’s well-being and she is making sure the family has the guidance they need to assess the situation and move forward.

Photos: Channel 2 Action News

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