Gladys Knight is denying her son’s allegations that the singer’s husband has subjected her to “psychological and financial” abuse.
A consultant for the “Midnight Prepare to Georgia” crooner advised Folks she’s “wholesome and joyful,” and that the claims made by her son Shanga Hankerson are entirely “unfounded.”
Quite, Hankerson has allegedly had “no substantial contact” with the 81-year-old Grammy winner, who’s “enormously saddened” by his claims in opposition to her fourth husband, William McDowell, to whom she’s been married for twenty-four years.
Hankerson, a habits therapist, alleged to the outlet that McDowell has pushed his mom to tour, claiming the demand of the schedule is “detrimental” to her well being. Hankerson additionally stated he’s been purposefully allowed solely “minimal entry” to Knight, whose “deterioration has occurred over a interval of years, and may be very evident.”
Hankerson made related claims earlier this week to The Shade Room, accusing McDowell of manipulating individuals into believing his mom is match to carry out. As a substitute, Hankerson stated, she’s been showing signs of cognitive decline and is “being made to suppose that she must work.”
In response to the accusations, Knight’s publicist stated the music legend “has not been on tour since June 1 [but] can’t wait to start touring once more in September,” referring to The Queens Tour, which brings Knight along with Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills.
“At the moment our attorneys haven’t any selection however to discover any and all authorized cures on account of Shanga’s defamatory feedback,” the assertion continued.
This isn’t the primary time Knight has wanted to contemplate authorized motion in opposition to her son, whom she shares along with her second husband, music govt Barry Hankerson. They had been married from 1974 to 1979.
In 2017, Knight successfully ordered Shanga to stop using her name, likeness and memorabilia as half of the Gladys Knight’s Hen and Waffles restaurant chain he opened in Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
4 years later, Shanga pleaded guilty to neglecting to withhold payroll taxes from the eating places’ workers.
He was ordered to serve two years behind bars and a 12 months of supervised launch, along with paying over $1 million in restitution.
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