CJF America president convicted in worthless check case

Nonprofit CJF America President Kristen Picot was found guilty on Wednesday of one count of issuing a simple worthless check charge.

A judge found Picot not guilty of two other counts of issuing a simple worthless check. The judge dismissed a fourth count of the same charge because an alleged victim was not in court.

WRAL Investigates has reported extensively on CJF America after employees’ allegations that the nonprofit did not pay them for working at summer camps around North Carolina and other states.

WRAL Investigates tried to speak with Picot after court, but she had no comment. Picot and her attorney, John Fitzpatrick, announced they will appeal the guilty verdict.

On Wednesday, WRAL Investigates asked the judge why he would find Picot guilty of one count of a simple worthless check charge and not the others. The judge said it had to do with the evidence he could see.

Former employee Briana Thompson brought pictures of her checks. Other former employees, including Crystal Graves, did not.

Picot was sentenced to a year of unsupervised probation and ordered to pay $1,100 to Thompson.

"I just hope everybody else gets something, just like me," Thompson said of Picot's guilty verdict.

WRAL Investigates asked Thompson whether she believes she will ever actually receive the money.

"I really hope so," Thompson said. "We work hard. We deserve what's owed to us."

Thompson and Graves both testified, alleging CJF America owes them thousands of dollars each.

"To me, she was a friend," Graves said of Picot. "I thought I could trust her."

On Wednesday in court, WRAL Investigates learned Picot faces more charges that are similar in nature. WRAL Investigates is working to learn the specifics of those charges.

WRAL Investigates has previously reported that CJF America and its executives are facing multiple lawsuits from employees throughout North Carolina and even other states, alleging nonpayment. WRAL Investigates has spoken with dozens of people who, in total, say they are owed hundreds of thousands of dollars by the group.

WRAL Investigates asked Fitzpatrick whether she had paid him.

"Have I been paid? That's not relevant," Fitzpatrick said. "I'm here to help her out.

WRAL Investigates asked Fitzpatrick to clarify: Yes or no?

"We'll find out in Superior Court," Fitzpatrick said.

The Durham Police Department charged CJF America founder Courtney Jordan and Chief Financial Officer Nicholas Gallardo in September 2025 with obtaining property by false pretenses and felony conspiracy. At last check with the Durham Police Department, those warrants remain unserved.