Tyrone Cyrus, 50, owner of Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles, has been arrested and charged with four counts of tax evasion for allegedly underreporting more than $3 million in sales between 2018 and 2021.
According to the South Carolina Department of Revenue, Cyrus reported $8.19 million in taxable sales over the four-year period, while actual sales exceeded $11.19 million. Authorities estimate the unpaid state sales tax totals $231,701.
A yearly breakdown of alleged underreporting shows:
2018: $1,830,916.65 reported; $26,708.61 allegedly evaded
2019: $2,709,712 reported; $79,301.31 allegedly evaded
2020: $2,287,628.49 reported; $742,735.55 allegedly evaded
2021: $4,367,451.80 reported; $69,616.58 allegedly evaded
Cyrus, who filed the chain’s sales tax returns, faces up to five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine per count, along with prosecution costs if convicted.
He is being held at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center pending a bond hearing.
