Former employees of the start-up cable network told Channel 2 Action News Consumer Investigator Jim Strickland a jobs program doesn't do much good if there's no paycheck.

Businesses Creates New Jobs, No Paychecks Workers Say

“This is stimulus money that was put out there to help us,” said Estella Kenny. She was one of several former employees of a Conyers cable TV channel to speak with Strickland.

The cable channel has yet to transmit, but it held another job fair to staff a second business, a telemarketing operation.

Strickland found co-owner Pastor James Holmes among those taking applications.

“I can understand why they're upset. They want to get paid,” he said.

Holmes admitted the business he co-founded with his wife Olivia, has received more than $20,000 in federal stimulus as part of the Adult Subsidized Employment Program.

The unpaid employees met low income guidelines. The stimulus was supposed to fund 80 percent of their paychecks, but paychecks have been delayed for weeks.

“She'll owe me three weeks’ worth pay, which is 120 hours. So, it's probably a little over $1,400,” said former employee Kelly Bray.

Holmes said clerical confusion led to the delays. He claims the company is waiting for the state to pay him, so he can pay employees.

“Believe me. We're working diligently to make sure they get paid,” he said.

The program rules say an employer is supposed to wait for reimbursement after it fully funds the paychecks.

State officials confirmed they are investigating. They also confirm Set Free TV has received $27,000 in stimulus money to pay its employees.