Gladys Knight’s Son, Shanga Hankerson, Accused Of Tax Evasion After Gladys Knight’s Chicken And Waffles Raid

Gladys Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson, who runs the Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurants in the Atlanta area, has been accused of tax evasion and theft following a raid.

Gladys Knight’s Son In Tax Trouble?

Georgia’s Department of Revenue is accusing Hankerson of stealing more than $650,000 in sales taxes in addition to withholding taxes that are owed to the state of Georgia, according to a press release.

“After penalties and interest the total exceeds $1 million,” the department said. “The department further alleges that Hankerson used these funds for personal use.”

Search warrants were served at all three Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles locations, and at a corporate office. Hankerson’s bank accounts and a trio of luxury vehicles have been seized by revenue officials.

“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,” says Josh Waites, the special investigation director for Georgia’s Department of Revenue.

As for singer Gladys Knight, she has not been implicated in the alleged tax crimes, and remains uninvolved in the restaurants’ business affairs.

“Gladys Knight lent her name to her son’s restaurants in the Atlanta area, similar to a celebrity endorsement,” reads a statement from Knight’s public relations agency sent to CNN. “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.”