A chain of Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles restaurants in Atlanta area were raided by the IRS on Tuesday, according to TMZ and local affiliate WSB-TV.
Gladys Knight’s son runs the businesses, and is at the center of an investigation involving $1 million in allegedly diverted funds, according to WSB-TV.
The relationship the legendary singer had to the eateries was in name only, according to her representative.
“Gladys Knight lent her name to her son’s restaurants in the Atlanta area, similar to a celebrity endorsement," Laura Herlovich, a spokesperson for Knight, tells USA TODAY. "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."
The statement continues: "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.”
The restaurants are currently closed.
