The founder of a nonprofit and the organization’s CFO appeared in a Person County courtroom for their first appearances after law enforcement said they led officers on a chase.
Courtney Jordan, founder of CJF America, and Nicholas Gallardo, the nonprofit’s CFO, appeared in court Monday.
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As Jordan walked into court, WRAL tried to ask him about what former employees say is money owed to them, but he did not answer our questions.
Former CJF America President Kristen Picot was in court to support Jordan and Gallardo.
WRAL asked Picot how long people should expect to wait to be paid for their work with CJF America.
"We're working through it. I mean, we are, we're working through it. I don't have a timeline right now," Picot said.
WRAL spoke exclusively with Jordan last Friday for the first time about the allegations involving CJF America.
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.
In addition to criminal fraud charges in Durham, Jordan faces criminal charges in Person County after a car chase in late July.
Jordan is charged with fleeing to elude arrest and possession with intent to sell or deliver a controlled substance. According to his arrest warrant, Jordan was in possession of 51 dosage units of oxycodone hydrochloride.
Jordan is also charged with two counts of injury to personal property and second-degree trespassing.
Gallardo is charged with possession of a controlled substance. According to his arrest warrant, the substance was buprenorphine hydrochloride. He is also charged with second-degree trespassing.
Jordan and Gallardo are scheduled to return to court in Person County in October.