A Durham-based nonprofit accused of owing its employees thousands of dollars is now facing new issues related to misrepresentations on its website. Because WRAL Investigates got involved, the city of Durham's Attorney's Office took action, sending a demand letter to CJF America.
WRAL Investigates has reported for weeks on the issues with CJF America, a branch of the Courtney Jordan Foundation.
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WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger noticed logos for Duke Energy, Durham County, the city of Durham and Duke University displayed prominently on CJF America's website. She also noticed testimonials that claimed to be written by longtime state Rep. Mickey Michaux, former Durham Mayor Bill Bell and former U.S. Sen. Richard Burr. She contacted each person or entity, and all said they had no known relationship with CJF America or Courtney Jordan.
The day after WRAL Investigates alerted the City to its logo's use on the website, emails obtained through a public records request show the Senior Deputy City Attorney Fred Lamar wrote to CJF America, demanding that it "immediately remove the logo and cease any further use of it in association with your website."
CJF America responded to Lamar, saying it removed all third-party logos. It also claimed that the City's logo was on the site because of "a prior partnership under our former brand and its flagship initiative, The Major Program Alliance, in the early 2010s." North Carolina Secretary of State records reflect that CJF America, Inc. was formed in January 2023.
WRAL Investigates' Sarah Krueger then asked the city's public information officer if the city ever did have a partnership with something called The Major Program Alliance. She said staff "could not find any evidence" that it did.
When WRAL Investigates reached Bill Bell by phone to ask about his testimonial on CJF America's site, he said "I don't know the guy...I don't know where he got that from." Similarly, Mickey Michaux said his quote was not legitimate. An aide for Senator Burr said the Senator and his staff have no recollection of the quote that was attributed to him, either.
WRAL Investigates asked CJF America where it got the testimonial quotes from the three men. Executive Director of External Communication Reagan Cartwright replied: "We’re now reviewing all testimonials to make sure every one is properly attributed and can be fully verified. If a quote can’t be confirmed, it will come down."
As of Wednesday, the quotes remained on CJF America's site.
Meanwhile, WRAL Investigates checked in with the CJF America employees who say they were not paid. They tell us they are still awaiting payment for their work. The Department of Labor confirms its investigation is ongoing.