CJF America founder Courtney Jordan pushed back Friday against allegations from former workers who say they were not paid or were defrauded, telling WRAL News that some of the people who have made claims against the nonprofit were never actually employees.
Jordan made the comments after appearing in a Wake County courtroom for a case involving former CJF America President Kristen Picot and Sydney Jones, a woman who said she worked for the nonprofit and invested $20,000 that she never got back.
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"We've had a mass exodus of people who were, in fact, paid," Jordan said.
Jordan said a restructuring of the organization uncovered what he described as mismanagement and people taking "a little bit too many liberties."
"A lot of the employees that were featured on your news program and others were not even employees," Jordan said. "They had no official contract with the organization, and it's sad."
WRAL Investigates has covered multiple cases involving former CJF America workers who said they were never paid or were given fraudulent checks.
Friday's court hearing involved Jones, who was charged with misdemeanor stalking and harassment after Picot said Jones had harassed and stalked her.
A Wake County judge found Jones guilty.
Jones testified that she never received a salary from CJF America and also invested $20,000 that she never got back. Her attorney argued that Jones was not threatening Picot but was instead trying to recover her money.
Jones received a 60-day suspended sentence and six months of supervised probation.
In February, Picot was found guilty of one count of issuing a simple worthless check.
Jordan said CJF America is continuing to restructure and that new President Rosie Alvarez is expected to release a 100-day plan.
"For transparency, we have a duty to the public because that is who we are here to serve," Jordan said.
Jordan was asked exactly how much money CJF America owes its former employees. He said they are still calculating that amount.
Jordan himself faces criminal charges in Durham and Person counties, along with multiple civil lawsuits in Durham.
In July, the Person County Sheriff's Office said Jordan and CJF America CFO Nicholas Gallardo led deputies on a high-speed chase. The two are due in Person County court Aug. 17.
