That is the latest word from the President of CJF America, the Durham Foundation accused of not paying some businesses and employees for work. Kristen Picot, the President of CJF America, was in Moore Square watching kids who attend the CJF summer camp in Raleigh. ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson caught up with Picot and asked, "We just want to get answers as far as when the employees will get paid?"
Picot answered, "I understand. I just want to be here for the kids and stuff, so I want to make sure we can schedule a time, because we can totally schedule a time." Wilson said back, "We have tried to schedule a time." Picot replied, "I was going to email you back today, but we ended up, so let me just do that, can we do that?"
Picot had four kids with her from the camp and said she wanted to schedule a time to talk about CJF's pay problems, something ABC11 has been trying to do for the last week. CJF is a foundation based in Durham that is a branch of the Courtney Jordan Foundation. Jordan, who lives in Durham, is the man behind the group whose mission is to 'Build Stronger Communities,' which is stated on their website.
The I-Team has heard from more than a dozen CJF employees who say they didn't get paid for their work. One employee, Dr. Cherisse Collins, told Wilson, "I'm owed a little over $27,000 to date." Several camp counselors of CJF's summer camps in Raleigh and Durham told us they are owed money. Briana Thompson says she had to quit being a CJF camp counselor after taking her paycheck to the bank.
"They said that they couldn't cash our checks because it hadn't been verified."
Ethan Bognar, a former CJF camp counselor in Raleigh, said he had problems when he tried to cash his check. "They finally gave us our checks, and then we went to go cash them and the checks bounced," he added.
Wilson tried to get answers for those employees who worked weeks but couldn't cash their checks.
Wilson to Picot, "You have to have the answer for your employees. They worked for you for months, for weeks."
Picot answered, "And we are, we are literally gonna, we're literally taking care of everything. They will be taken care of."
Besides the pay issue for CJF employees, ABC11 showed you how The Chicken Hut in Durham supplied breakfast and lunch for the camp in Durham, and was promised its $3400 payment. Owner, Tre Tapp, of The Chicken Hut, "They promised us every week a payment, but those promises obviously have been broken every week."
After the Troubleshooter got involved, Picot sent Wilson an email last week that said The Chicken Hut would be paid on Wednesday, July 30, and CJF did not pay.
Wilson to Picot, "You told me you were going to pay The Chicken Hut on Wednesday, and Wednesday came and went."
Picot responds, "Let's schedule a time when I don't have to be with the kids."
Picot agreed to meet with Wilson at 6 p.m. Monday at Moore Square. Wilson said to her, "So, 6, you'll be here?
Picot answered, "I'll be here." Picot even extended her hand to Wilson, and they both shook hands, agreeing on the time.
However, about an hour before 6:00, Picot sent an email to Wilson that said in part, "...my obligations to our students and staff during these field trip windows required my full presence and made it impractical to hold an interview at that time. That said, I'd be more than willing to participate in a formal, uninterrupted interview tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 6:00 p.m. or at another mutually convenient time. I also look forward to sharing several positive updates regarding our current operations and the work underway to enhance transparency and community trust. Additionally, I believe we'll have several positive updates to share that speak to both our impact and the steps underway to address the concerns that have surfaced in recent coverage."
ABC11 Troubleshooter agreed to Tuesday at 6 pm.
Stay with ABC11News for the latest updates on this story and whether employees and businesses will get the money they are owed.