CEO of CJF America asked about employees pay during court appearance on criminal charges
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- Two leaders of the Courtney Jordan Foundation appeared in court Monday in Person County, where they are facing criminal charges stemming from a high-speed chase. Courtney Jordan, the foundation's founder, and Nicholas Gallardo, its CFO, appeared before a judge.
The two men are also the focus of an ITEAM Troubleshooter investigation into allegations that the foundation failed to pay dozens of former employees.
Both men faced a judge for their first court appearance and told the judge they hired legal counsel and did not enter a plea. Jordan is facing multiple charges in Person County, including felony fleeing to elude arrest, injury to personal property, and second-degree trespassing.
Gallardo is charged in Person County with felony conspiracy, second-degree trespassing, and simple possession of a controlled substance.
According to court documents, Jordan and Gallardo allegedly led deputies on a high-speed chase that ended when the vehicle they were in crashed. Both men were injured and taken to the hospital.
The Person County Sheriff says they left the hospital before deputies could arrest them.
Investigators later conducted surveillance on a home in Timberlake, according to search warrants. Jordan and Gallardo were found inside. The search warrants state the Person County Sheriff's Office recovered multiple cell phones, suspected illegal narcotics, laptops, money, notebooks containing financial account information and identification documents belonging to other people.
The SBI has confirmed it is investigating possible financial crimes involving Jordan and Gallardo. Both men are due back in Person County court in October on the charges.
As Jordan walked into the Person County courthouse Monday, ABC11 Troubleshooter Diane Wilson asked him about former employees who say they are still waiting to be paid. He said he would answer the question, but never did.
Kristen Picot, CEO of the Courtney Jordan Foundation, was also at the courthouse Monday; she says in support of Jordan and Gallardo.
When asked whether former employees who say they are owed wages will be paid.
She said, "That's what we're working with the labor board on; we're doing everything right to the T with it. So that's what we're doing."
Troubleshooter also asked Picot whether she is still involved with the Courtney Jordan Foundation, and she said yes. Picot said the foundation is still active. She did not provide a timeline for when former employees who say they are owed money will be paid, saying only that they are working on it.
In addition to the Person County charges, Jordan and Gallardo are also facing criminal fraud charges in Durham County.
They are due in court in Durham in late August.
