What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Illinois
Just less than a year ago I had a falling out with a peer as we explored joining our businesses, both of us bandleaders/music providers to private parties and corporate events. A decent business where I live. Highly competitive. I feel I have been wronged and it has negatively affected my business and I hear to this day from third parties of possible character assassination. Here is a link to a previous thread regarding the matter:
https://forum.freeadvice.com/starting-operating-business-3/entertainment-booking-agent-wants-me-run-money-through-his-account-602043.html#post3228654
The complaint I would like to make involves her withholding a client deposit check specifically made out to me and trying to leverage that into having me sign a broad and inaccurate Letter of Indemnification that has no basis in reality. I did not sign the letter even under threat of litigation. She did not pass on the check. I performed the engagement and was paid in full the night of, by the client. That was very awkward and I did not get the job this year (after 2 years of doing it). She also refused to return property of mine-- music scores--even after repeated requests.
I contacted the police in the town she has her office in and they said at most they would go talk with her and that it is probably a civil matter or small claims court case. What I would like to do is have her served in some manner that would settle the question of who did what and who is at fault. I want to be able to publicly defend myself to my business peers if need be, even through social media, and have the basis to do so without liability. I don't know if I have a claim for financial damages and the cost of the music scores is about $50., but I was stabbed in the back and it continues.
Questions: should I start with the police? What kind of case could I make? And then what, I can tell the story and get my books back? Small claims court? I have an email thread with her that spells the whole thing out. My main goal here is to clear myself and throw her into the mud. I know it's not pretty, but neither is she.
Thank you!
Just less than a year ago I had a falling out with a peer as we explored joining our businesses, both of us bandleaders/music providers to private parties and corporate events. A decent business where I live. Highly competitive. I feel I have been wronged and it has negatively affected my business and I hear to this day from third parties of possible character assassination. Here is a link to a previous thread regarding the matter:
https://forum.freeadvice.com/starting-operating-business-3/entertainment-booking-agent-wants-me-run-money-through-his-account-602043.html#post3228654
The complaint I would like to make involves her withholding a client deposit check specifically made out to me and trying to leverage that into having me sign a broad and inaccurate Letter of Indemnification that has no basis in reality. I did not sign the letter even under threat of litigation. She did not pass on the check. I performed the engagement and was paid in full the night of, by the client. That was very awkward and I did not get the job this year (after 2 years of doing it). She also refused to return property of mine-- music scores--even after repeated requests.
I contacted the police in the town she has her office in and they said at most they would go talk with her and that it is probably a civil matter or small claims court case. What I would like to do is have her served in some manner that would settle the question of who did what and who is at fault. I want to be able to publicly defend myself to my business peers if need be, even through social media, and have the basis to do so without liability. I don't know if I have a claim for financial damages and the cost of the music scores is about $50., but I was stabbed in the back and it continues.
Questions: should I start with the police? What kind of case could I make? And then what, I can tell the story and get my books back? Small claims court? I have an email thread with her that spells the whole thing out. My main goal here is to clear myself and throw her into the mud. I know it's not pretty, but neither is she.
Thank you!
