The former chief financial officer of restaurateur Pinky Cole Hayes’s now-shuttered restaurant, Bar Vegan, has been indicted on multiple felony charges, marking a dramatic turn in the financial unraveling tied to one of Atlanta’s most high-profile plant-based ventures.
According to court filings, Aaron Mattison faces charges including theft by taking, first-degree forgery, and money laundering stemming from his tenure overseeing company finances between 2021 and 2022.
Prosecutors allege Mattison carried out a calculated scheme to siphon funds from the business using falsified documents and unauthorized transactions.
Allegations of Fraud and Financial Manipulation
Investigators claim Mattison created forged financial authorizations that appeared to be approved by Bar Vegan, enabling him to execute an $87,300 wire transfer for personal use. Authorities further allege he withdrew company funds in repeated $600 increments, totaling more than $24,999, over an extended period…