Embattled CJF founder says workers who are owed money will get paid
DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The founder and CFO of a Durham foundation that has been the subject of multiple ABC11 Troubleshooter investigations faced a judge for the first time Monday on criminal charges in Durham County.
Courtney Jordan and Nicholas Gallardo, leaders of the Courtney Jordan Foundation, are charged with obtaining property by false pretense and felony conspiracy. The charges stem from an alleged $30,000 investment involving the foundation. Neither Jordan nor Gallardo entered a plea during Monday's hearing. Both told the judge they have their own attorneys.
The Courtney Jordan Foundation has also faced scrutiny over claims from dozens of workers who say they were not paid for work they performed.
At no point have we or me or anybody wanted to not pay them for the work that they've done.- Courtney Jordan, CJF
After court Monday, Troubleshooter Diane Wilson asked Jordan about those unpaid wage claims.
"I don't deal with the operations, but it was unsettling to me," Jordan said. "And there are a lot of claims and a lot of different things that we're going through."
Jordan said the foundation has spent months doing an independent investigation reviewing the claims of former employees.
"At no point have we or me or anybody wanted to not pay them for the work that they've done," Jordan said. "The problem arose when we did an independent investigation because there was a lot of claims, and some of them are very wild."
Jordan said anyone who is legitimately owed money will be paid, but he could not say when those payments would be made.
"Anybody that is truly owed money from that organization, you're going to get it, point blank period," Jordan said. "It needs to be calculated."
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According to the warrant for the charges in Durham, investigators allege a victim gave $30,000 to Jordan for an investment fund set up by Gallardo that was never invested on behalf of the Courtney Jordan Foundation. When asked about the allegation, Jordan denied taking investments.
"I don't take investments. I do not take investments," Jordan said. "I don't want people telling me what to do and surely not $30,000, which apparently was a loan at one point."
Jordan also defended the foundation's work, saying CJF continues to serve people in the community.
"Fifteen years of this foundation, countless people that we have served and helped and continue to do so, and that is our commitment. My dedication has always been to the community and the folks that are around me," Jordan said.
Jordan added that the foundation is working with the North Carolina Department of Labor regarding the employee wage claims. The agency has confirmed its investigation remains ongoing.
Jordan and Gallardo are scheduled to return to Durham County court in November on the criminal charges. Both men also face separate criminal charges in Person County and are scheduled to appear there in October.
