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.
Those funds were allegedly routed through multiple accounts in a pattern prosecutors describe as money laundering, suggesting deliberate attempts to obscure the origin of the money.
The indictment paints a picture of internal financial controls being bypassed at a time when the restaurant was operating during a period of rapid growth and expansion.
A Business Already Under Pressure
The criminal case adds another layer of scrutiny to Bar Vegan, which had already faced legal and financial challenges before closing its doors on May 5, 2025.
In 2022, the restaurant was hit with a lawsuit from a former employee alleging unpaid wages, overtime violations, and withheld tips. That case was settled in early 2023 for an undisclosed sum reported to be in the tens of thousands.
While Pinky Cole Hayes was not named in the indictment and has not been charged, she previously addressed operational issues tied to the business, citing the strain of scaling rapidly.
Broader Financial Fallout
The indictment comes amid broader financial turbulence for Cole Hayes’ business empire. In March 2026, she filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, listing liabilities estimated between $1.3 million and $1.4 million.
Though the bankruptcy filing is separate from the criminal case, the timing underscores ongoing concerns about financial oversight and governance within fast-growing entrepreneurial ventures.
Legal Stakes Ahead
If convicted, Mattison could face significant prison time under Georgia law, particularly given the combination of fraud and money laundering charges. Legal experts note that such cases often hinge on the paper trail, emails, authorizations, and financial records, that prosecutors say they have already secured.
For now, the case remains pending, but its implications extend beyond a single defendant, raising questions about internal controls, accountability, and the risks that can accompany rapid business success.
