During a year of financial turmoil, Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles in Midtown has been dealt another blow.

In a surprise health inspection, officials gave the restaurant a 44 after dead and living roaches were seen in the kitchen, Channel 2 Action News reported. Workers were also seen handling chicken with their bare hands.

Health inspectors noted that expired Coca-Cola products weren’t thrown out.

The restaurant was given a failing score of 56 at an inspection in February.

State agents raided the restaurant chain in June after allegations surfaced that the singer’s son and restaurant owner, Shanga Hankerson, owed more than $1 million in taxes and penalties. Hankerson allegedly failed to remit sales and withholding taxes and instead used the money for personal use.

Knight, who is not involved in the day-to-day operations, sued to have her name and likeness removed from the restaurant earlier this month. Hankerson has not been involved with the restaurant since his arrest, Channel 2 reported.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. (center) is flanked by GOP whip Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. (left) and Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, as Thune speak to reporters at the Capitol in Washington on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earlier Tuesday, the Senate passed the budget reconciliation package of President Donald Trump's signature bill of big tax breaks and spending cuts. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

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