Pinky Cole's ex-CFO charged with theft, forgery, and money laundering.

It has been revealed that the ex-chief financial officer of the well-known restaurateur and founder of Slutty Vegan, Aisha "Pinky" Cole Hayes, is facing criminal charges in Georgia related to her previous restaurant, Bar Vegan. According to legal documents obtained by The Neighborhood Talk, Aaron Mattison, who served as Cole's CFO, was indicted in August on various counts, including theft, forgery, and money laundering. The prosecutors allege that Mattison conducted unauthorized financial transactions while overseeing the company's finances between 2021 and 2022.

The authorities claim that Mattison falsified financial documents with fake approvals from Bar Vegan, which he used to make an $87,300 wire transfer for his personal gain. It is also alleged that he withdrew company funds in multiple $600 increments, totaling over $24,999, and transferred the money through various accounts in what the investigators describe as a money laundering scheme. This indictment comes several years after Bar Vegan was sued by a former employee in July 2022 for unpaid minimum wages, overtime violations, and withheld tips.

The case was resolved in early 2023 for a substantial sum of money. Bar Vegan, which was once a part of Cole Hayes' plant-based empire and based in Atlanta, officially shut down on May 5, 2025. With Mattison potentially facing prison time, questions arise about the company's financial management, accountability, and the challenges of rapid entrepreneurial growth.

It is worth noting that Cole Hayes has not been charged in connection with Mattison's indictment. She had previously denied any intentional withholding of wages, citing difficulties in managing the rapid expansion of her business at the time. These developments come after Cole filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in March 2026, stating liabilities estimated to be between $1.3 million and $1.4 million.

The case is still ongoing, and it remains to be seen how it will affect Cole and her future ventures.