So I was fired from my old job 1 year ago. My boss purchased the business from a nice couple who had started it 20 years prior and had hired me to manage production. I had a contract with the orginal owners, new owner denied I ever had an employment contract- and said if I did have a contract the previous owners lied about everything offered because they were selling the business and knew they wouldn't need to honor it. Did great things for the business and made the new owner over $500k going above and beyond my responsibilities in production helping woth distribution and sales. Fast forward to Covid- we were shut down to in person customers like everyone in Minnesota was, money wasn't coming in for our wedding venue, but booze sales were better than ever so we were doing OK. State of Minnesota was giving pretty good unemployment benefits for people laid off, and PPP money was on its way. I had connections with our local congresswoman and set up a meeting so my boss could get his application in 1st (he ended up being one of the first in the state to receive PPP because of this). He sat us all down and announced he was laying everyone off so we could all get MN unemployment and he was getting PPP to keep a few people on staff. So I figure ok, me and my production crew are laid off, no work. He tells me and my crew he expects us to keep working 40+ hours a week and if we don't he won't be bringing us back on payroll when unemployment runs out (totally illegal and literal fraud). I object and he tells me I'm fired and “he will ruin my life if I don't keep working”. He had had always been sleezy since he took over the buisness but this was a new low. 1 day after PPP money hits he shows up in a brand new Jeep Wrangler and is spending money on dumb shit the business doesn't need unbashfully. I see the writing on the wall and start looking for new work as soon as Covid calms down. I find a great new job and tell him I have an opportunity at another place across the country, if he wants to keep me he has to change his ways and pay me more money to match the offer- next day he fires me. I had 8 weeks of vacation not used throughout the pandemic and asked he pay me out- he refused, last paycheck not paid as well. He also threatened to sue me for defamation and a bunch of other total BS, also sent me nasty texts calling me names and talking shit. I moved away to greener pastures, but still pissed and could really use the $7,000 he owes me for vacation and my last paycheck. Is there any recourse or recommendations? I have thought about hiring a lawyer and sending a letter requesting my money and also mentioning the PPP fraud…. I know you can report PPP fraud but it looks pretty bureaucratic and they want hard proof. Idk what tod do, I hate liars and cheaters and this guy is as greasy as they come, he really F'd me over and he made out pretty damn good having everyone work for free for months while he also got PPP funds… a few close friends think I should just leave it and walk away. But bullies like him always win, would love to see him get what he deserves.