Shanga Hankerson, former owner of Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles in Atlanta – who is also the legendary singer’s son, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for theft and tax evasion.
The 45-year-old former restaurateur pleaded guilty on July 21.
In addition to two years in federal prison, Shanga was sentenced to one year of supervised release and ordered to pay $1,039,310.65 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Kurt Erskine said in a statement:
Hankerson willfully disregarded his tax obligations for many years.
Payroll taxes fund social insurance programs, including Social Security and Medicare, and are a large source of revenue for the federal government.
Employers who fail to comply with their legal obligations will be held accountable.
In 2016, authorities raided all three Gladys Knight Chicken and Waffles restaurants in the metro Atlanta after a felony warrant was issued for Shanga, who was at the center of a $1 million tax evasion investigation.
Shortly thereafter, Gladys Knight filed a lawsuit against her son to have her name and likeness removed from the restaurants.
Shanga Hankerson, who is also the son of Barry Hankerson, responded to the lawsuit by saying his mother “lacks the mental capacity” to make decisions.
Welp. Rule #1 is you never disrespect your mother and Rule #2 is you always pay your taxes.
Source: AJC
