Oregon Lottery sends Sharis restaurants to collections for unpaid bills

The Oregon Lottery has taken action against Shari’s restaurant chain, sending it to collections for more than $900,000 in unpaid debts, which will accrue an additional 9% interest from the Oregon Department of Revenue. Once one of the largest video lottery retailers in the state, Shari's abruptly closed all its Oregon locations in October due to escalating financial issues. Former landlords and contractors are now pursuing Shari's for millions in unpaid debts, with management failing to respond to over two dozen lawsuits. The president of Shari’s, Samuel Borgese, did not reply to media inquiries, and the listed business address has reportedly been abandoned. Although the chain filed its annual report with the Oregon Secretary of State in January, federal records indicate that neither Shari's nor its parent company has sought bankruptcy protection.

This lack of response and transparency raises concerns about the chain's financial viability and future operations. The article underscores the ramifications of Shari's financial troubles not just for the company but also for its creditors and employees. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how these debts will be resolved.