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La Shish Restaurants Inc. owner Talal Chahine is having trans-Atlantic talks with investment groups about the sale of his Dearborn-based restaurant chain.
During a telephone interview from Lebanon with Crain's late last week, Chahine, who is under indictment for tax evasion, denied those charges and alleged links to any terrorist organization.
He said he's considering selling the restaurant chain to shield his 700 employees, the La Shish brand and his company's vendors from the negative publicity surrounding the case and allegations.
Before facing those charges or finalizing any deals, Chahine said he first must take care of business related to his son's murder conviction last year - a point he said he's conveyed to U.S. authorities.
Kenneth Chadwell, an assistant U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, said he has talked to Chahine's lawyer about his client's reasons for being in Lebanon. But Chadwell said potential buyers can't get clear title to La Shish assets until Chahine returns to the U.S. to face the charges against him and pays the money the Internal Revenue Service claims he owes.
"We're not going to release restaurants if we have a fugitive on our hands, even if we're paid in full," he said.
Chahine said he hopes to return to the U.S. sometime in June. "I hope there's enough fairness in our justice system to bring the truth about," he said. "The truth is that both allegations that are being thrown at us are blatantly and utterly false.
"As soon as I feel there are no loose ends hanging in Lebanon, I'll be on the first plane back," Chahine said.
He said at least two groups of investors have contacted him about buying the business.
One is a group led by Bryon Stephens, former vice president of Lexington, Ky.-based food service company Yum! Brands Inc., and Samir Saleh, 39, a West Bloomfield Township La Shish franchisee. The group also includes two local silent partners.
The four have offered to buy all La Shish assets, including its real properties, trademarks, franchise division and Dearborn headquarters, said Stephens, 46. He did not disclose the price being offered.
Dearborn-based La Shish consists of 15 restaurants in metro Detroit and...