Contractor gets unemployment?

[803GA5]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? CA

A*couple*of*year*ago*I*hired*somebody*as*a*contractor*rather*than*employee.**He*is*given*a*1099*instead*of*a*W-2*and*I*do*not*withhold*taxes.**This*arrangement*was*agreed*upon*by*this*person*and*we*both*signed*a*contract*outlining*the*above.

I*recently*had*to*let*this*person*go*because*business*has*slowed*down*a*lot*and*he*filed*for*unemployment.**I*thought*unemployment*benefits*can*only*be*given*to*employees*and*not*contractors.**I*have*to*respond*soon.**Should*I*give*a*copy*of*the*contract?**Is*that*enough*to*win?

 

[eerelations]

You*probably*misclassified*this*person*as*a*contractor*when*he*was*legally*really*an*employee.*You*may*not*classify*employees*as*contractors*nor*may*employees*classify*themselves*as*contractors*if*they're*really*employees*as*defined*by*law.*Having*a*signed*contract*doesn't*make*any*difference*that*would*be*like*having*a*contract*signed*by*an*employee*agreeing*to*accept*50*cents*per*hour*you'd*still*legally*be*on*the*hook*for*paying*him*minimum*wage*contract*notwithstanding.

What's this business with all the stars anyway? It's darn hard to type this way - and read too!