On the heels of CJF America executives being criminally charged in Durham, WRAL Investigates has learned another criminal investigation is underway into the local company, which is accused of not paying its employees.

Roxboro Police Chief David Hess confirmed the agency is investigating the Durham-based nonprofit and its associates, related to potential criminal activity.

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WRAL Investigates previously reported the group is being investigated by the state's Department of Labor and the Durham Police Department, too.

Durham police charged founder Courtney Jordan and CFO Nicholas Gallardo with obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy on Sept. 24.

Larry Mayfield, who worked for the group for two weeks this summer, says his experience mirrored that of the more than dozen other employees WRAL Investigates has spoken with, in that he was never paid.

WRAL Investigates has reported that CJF America is being sued by seven former employees from multiple states, who claim they were never paid for work on summer camps, and is also being sued locally by three sisters who say they were not paid for their work in Durham.

WRAL Investigates also reported on charges against CJF America's president for writing bad checks, about testimonials on the group's website that were not legitimate, and about false claims online regarding the company's founder, self-proclaimed billionaire Courtney Jordan.

"It's disappointing," Mayfield said. "I guess that's the word that would sum everything up."

A year ago, Mayfield had been full of hope for what he and the group could accomplish for those in need in Person County. A video on CJF America's website shows a ribbon cutting in May 2024 for a center at a Roxboro Housing Authority property, bearing his name as the "Mayfield Ragland Center."

Mayfield, who previously worked for the Roxboro Housing Authority, told WRAL Investigates he left his role with RHA to lead CJF America's operations in Person County. He says although they held a ribbon-cutting, the promises from CJF America and Jordan to include community programming, after-school care, job training and meal programs never came to fruition.

"On the surface, they had great plans, great ideas," Mayfield said.

Now, the would-be center within RHA, and a later iteration on Main Street in Uptown Roxboro are both closed.

WRAL Investigates wrote to CJF America spokesperson Reagan Cartwright, asking why the group did not live up to its promises in Roxboro, and asked when employees in Roxboro and elsewhere would be paid.

Cartwright did not answer the second question.

As for the first, she wrote, in part: "We stand by the documented record: every facility, program, and dollar invested in Roxboro was delivered in direct response to requests made of us, and always at no cost to the public. The breakdown was not due to lack of effort or commitment on our part, but to dysfunction within the Housing Authority’s governance."

WRAL Investigates reached out to the Roxboro Housing Authority for a response to that claim, and has not yet heard back.

Cartwright says the group did offer some services, including "running job fairs with free professional headshots and LinkedIn setup, hosting reading circles, providing daily homework help for children, and volunteering at community events like backpack drives and fundraisers."

Mayfield said he hopes for justice for him and the other employees owed money.

"Initially, I was happy just to move on," he said. "But to see what’s happening in Durham and other locations, I’m like, 'Well, this has to end.' It’s a matter of principle now. If an opportunity arises to seek legal action, get compensated for that time, I’d love to do it."

The Durham Police Department and the state's Department of Labor tell WRAL their investigations are ongoing. 

Durham police asks that anyone with information contact Investigator B. Crabtree at 919-560-4440 ext.29342 or CrimeStoppers at (919) 683-1200 or online at www.durhamcrimestoppers.org.