Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles,was raided on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 after Georgia’s Department of Revenue accused the owner, Shanga Hankerson, Gladys Knight’s son of theft and tax evasion.
GDOR executed search warrants at all locations of Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles – Midtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street; east of Atlanta at Stonecrest Mall in Lithonia and the newest location in southwest Atlanta on Cascade Road – and their corporate headquarters. In addition to the search warrants, Agents unsuccessfully attempted to serve arrest warrants on Hankerson at his home.
According to the Georgia Department of Revenue:
The Department of Revenue opened a criminal theft case into Shanga Hankerson alleging he has failed to remit sales and withholding taxes. The Department further alleges that Hankerson used these funds for personal use. Hankerson is accused of stealing over $650,000 in sales and withholding taxes owed to the State, after penalties and interest the total exceeds $1 million. Criminal charges include theft by taking and theft by conversion.
“It is never The Department of Revenue’s primary goal to shut down a business,” said Josh Waites, Director, of Office of Special Investigations. “We are working with Mr. Hankerson’s attorney to have the business up and running again as soon as possible.’
As soon as a receivership agreement is reached between the State and Hankerson, the restaurant should reopen for business.
The restaurant’s corporate phone line was disconnected. The Stonecrest location’s voice mail that needs updating answered, “Gladys and Ron’s Stonecrest.” No attempt was made by this writer to reach the remaining two locations.
Hankerson’s tax attorney, Josie Walton-Harris, has released a statement, “We are working with Mr. Hankerson’s attorney to have the business up and running again as soon as possible. As soon as a receivership agreement is reached between the state and Hankerson, the restaurant should reopen for business.”
Hankerson was booked into Clayton County Jail on Wednesday morning, June 22, 2016. Bond has not been issued at the time of this writing.
We are updating this story.
