Charges filed against president of NC-based nonprofit accused of not paying workers

Kristen Picot, the president of CJF America, is facing four misdemeanor charges for "simple worthless checks."

WRAL Investigates has reported for more than a month on the ongoing situation involving the Durham-based nonprofit, which is accused of owing thousands of dollars to its former employees around the state and country. 

The new charges were filed on Friday. 

One of the women who pressed charges against Picot is Crystal Graves, whom WRAL Investigates has highlighted in previous reporting. She says she was never paid for work related to a youth summer camp in Durham.

"I am really hoping that something happens with this and that ... the law holds them accountable," Graves said.

WRAL Investigates contacted Picot for comment about the charges against her, and to ask when employees would be paid. We have not yet received a response.

WRAL Investigates has spoken with more than a dozen people who say they are owed money by CJF America or its executives. Courtney Jordan, a self-described billionaire and founder of the nonprofit, is among the executives.

WRAL Investigates also reported CJF America used logos and testimonials on its website that were not legitimate. WRAL Investigates also uncovered a series of issues with online claims about Jordan.

WRAL Investigates reported last month that seven former employees of CJF America, from multiple states, are suing the company and several of its executives for nonpayment. 

"We have people with mortgages," Graves said. "We have car payments. We have kids that have went off to college where we couldn’t even buy toilet paper for them or a sheet for their bed ...You just can’t do this. You can’t do this."

WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger tracked down the company's chief financial officer, Nick Gallardo, on Aug. 1 in a Raleigh park. Krueger asked Gallardo about employees' claims that they had not been paid.

After evading her for minutes, claiming to be on the phone, Gallardo finally told Krueger: "We are completely aware of what’s going on with everybody and we’re making sure that we address the situation appropriately."

Krueger also asked Gallardo if he could call Jordan right then, explaining she had been trying to reach him. Gallardo did not respond. WRAL Investigates has tried numerous times to speak with Jordan, by sending him emails and calling phone numbers listed for him and his companies, and also going by addresses affiliated with him or his businesses. 

Employees who have spoken with WRAL Investigates say they still have not been paid.

The state's Department of Labor and the Durham Police Department are investigating the nonpayment. 

Picot is due in court later this month on her new charges.