I gave my two weeks notice to leave my employer due to the company's shady business practices, deliquency in taxes/legal issues, and having to fund company expenses and clean up after owner's new puppy.

At the hearing for unemployment insurance, I had to go into detail about my reasons for leaving. This upset the employer, who made accusations against me for unauthorized vacation pay and pay raises.

I sent the employer a certified letter addressing his accusations and the information from the employee manual justifying my actions. Also his pay raises were oral, but I did annotate the dates in the accounting software.

I missed out on three potential employment opportunities because of his negative references (I was sent a copy from a screening company stating that the employer checked "will not rehire due to liability issues").

Besides a Cease and Desist Letter, what recourse of action do I have to clear my name and recover lost wages and emotional distress to me and my family? :confused: