My former employer tried to withhold my final 2 paychecks and require me to pay them a large fee for some pants they claim they gave me over three years ago or return the pants. We were not required to wear these pants and the only proof they have that I ever received them is that they gave them to other people in the office. They also do not have any proof that I took responsibility for these pants even if I received them. I informed them of the law requiring employers to release employee's final checks to them and they did but they told me that they would be talking with the county attorney and would try to file charges against me.

What legal action could be taken against me with absolutely no proof that I ever received any pants in the first place?

My guess is that the county attorney has far bigger fish to fry than pursuing a missing pair of pants. If by some bizarre reason he or she does, then the burden of proof will be on the employer to PROVE that they gave you the pants and that does not seem to exist.

What's so special about these three year old pants that they would want them returned???

The management is just used to lower level employees rolling over for them and giving them whatever they want. I think their court threat was a last ditch effort to intimidate me into paying for the pants.

I think you should just ignore the whole thing and go about your business. Your employer is just acting stupidly.