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Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles flunks another health inspection

ajc.com

Credit: Willoughby Mariano

Credit: Willoughby Mariano

By
Nov 4, 2016

Gladys Knight's Chicken and Waffles' downtown location flunked its third health inspection this year, earning a 65 during a Thursday check.

The troubled restaurant violated contamination, cleanliness and pest control rules, according to the state Department of Public Health restaurant inspection website.

Owner Shanga Hankerson, 40, son of the soul music legend and Atlanta native, was arrested in June on felony theft charges. Investigators said he collected tax money and failed to turn it over to the state. He faces nearly $1 million in taxes, fines and penalties and is fighting a civil racketeering case.

An investigation by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found that he was spending money on marijuana and sex parties as the restaurant sank. Knight is suing him in federal court to remove her name from the restaurant.

The eatery's Cascade location earned an "A" during its last inspection in September. A location in Lithonia closed in August.

Check here for more details on the inspection.

About the Author

Willoughby Mariano is an investigative reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where she focuses on housing and criminal justice issues. She previously worked for the AJC's PolitiFact Georgia, where she fact checked the claims of elected officials, and at the Orlando Sentinel, where she covered crime and breaking news.

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