Am IK legally obligated to pay when they made a mistake and realized 2 months later?

[ackattack]

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

Hi

I am a [financially-struggling] college student who organized a 5-day global health trip with an international organization (based in Central America) to provide international volunteer work experience for my participants (i.e fellow college peers). I charge my participants and I pay this organization for setting up the volunteer experience; I am just the middle man. Long story short, the organization I temporarily partnered with mistakenly made an error in their accounting department and told me I had paid the invoice I owed in full, when in reality I only paid 40% of what was promised. Fast forward 1 month after the trip has taken place and they are contacting me (they just discovered this mistake) to pay the other 60% ($6,000). I have not been communicating with them since, until I figure out my options. I don't have the money they demand as it has been spent. I do have a voicemail recording and a PDF receipt from their representative (mistakenly) stating I had made all outstanding payment.

Can they sue me or force me to pay? Feel free to banter on about ethics/morality if it makes you feel better, but I am looking for a legal advice. Nothing more, nothing less.

Thx

 

[adjusterjack]

Can they sue me or force me to pay?

Yes to both.

You spent money that didn't belong to you.

There could even be criminal charges for conversion.

That's the "legal" long and short of it.

I suggest you figure out how to pay what you owe and do it quickly before the big trouble comes.

 

[eerelations]

Why did you spend the money when you knew it wasn't yours? And $6K? That's a lot to spend in two months!

 

[ackattack]

Yes to both.

You spent money that didn't belong to you.

There could even be criminal charges for conversion.

That's the "legal" long and short of it.

I suggest you figure out how to pay what you owe and do it quickly before the big trouble comes.

Is it my responsibilty to be organized financially? No. Are they responsible for their business negligences? Yes.
I make money, I spend money. They're contacting me 1 month later - of course the money is gone. Furthermore, if they are not an american organization (located in Central America), would they be able to sue me in the US or only in their respective country?

 

[ackattack]

Why did you spend the money when you knew it wasn't yours? And $6K? That's a lot to spend in two months!

Is it my responsibilty to be organized financially? No. Are they responsible for their business negligences? Yes.
I make money, I spend money. They're contacting me 1 month later - of course the money is gone. Furthermore, if they are not an american organization (located in Central America), would they be able to sue me in the US or only in their respective country?

 

[Zigner]

Is it my responsibilty to be organized financially? No.

Huh? THAT is where you are wrong. THAT is an attitude and belief that you need to change before you take on real-world responsbilities.

Are they responsible for their business negligences? Yes.

They corrected their mistake.

 

[ackattack]

Huh? THAT is where you are wrong. THAT is an attitude and belief that you need to change before you take on real-world responsbilities. They corrected their mistake.

Regardless, would they be able to sue or chase me down if they are in Central America and I am here in the USA?

 

[Zigner]

Regardless, would they be able to sue or chase me down if they are in Central America and I am here in the USA?

They absolutely may...and if it's cheaper, I'd expect them to "chase you down" to make you pay.

 

[ackattack]

They absolutely may...and if it's cheaper, I'd expect them to "chase you down" to make you pay.

I don't understand. How would something like that work?

 

[Zigner]

I don't understand. How would something like that work?

I'm sure you've seen it in the movies...two big scary dudes show up at your door...you can fill in the blanks.

 

[Zigner]

You STOLE, or at the very least, are contemplating stealing $6,000 from them.

 

[ackattack]

I'm sure you've seen it in the movies...two big scary dudes show up at your door...you can fill in the blanks.

Hahaha

 

[quincy]

Regardless, would they be able to sue or chase me down if they are in Central America and I am here in the USA?

You said the organization is an international organization. Even if this organization is based in Central America, if it is a large organization, it probably has access to a team of international lawyers. There can be a legal action or a legal complaint filed against you in the US.

I see you becoming even more "financially strapped" and your college education cut short once you are sued or arrested. I recommend you find a (legal) way to come up with the money you owe the organization before this happens.

 

[eerelations]

OP you asked whether or not you are legally obliged to pay when they made a mistake, and the expert volunteers here (who have many many years of legal experience and knowledge between them) advised you that yes, you are legally obliged to pay. Yet instead of thanking said experts for the 100% accurate response they gave you, you go on a childish rant about how you're not expected to be financially responsible?* Wow. Just wow.

*And BTW, if you're an adult, then yes, by law you are expected to be a financially responsible person.

 

[Zigner]

I just can't imagine this guy saying "Woohoo, they were supposed to charge $10,000, but they only invoiced for $4,000, so I get to keep the $6,000 and spend it any way I want!" This guy KNEW he was doing the wrong thing. Even if he felt that the organization wasn't entitled to the money, then he should at least refund the poor suckers who paid 60% more than they should have (by the OP's reasoning).