[jmarnold]

About a year ago we hired a friend of mine to do our phone and computer installation for our new buesiness. We had an oral agreement about the price. When the work was completed, he invoiced us for about $400 more than his estimate. We paid that to him in a prompt manner. Then we started receiving numerous invoices that were confusing, erroneous, and contradictory. I wrote this person a professional letter explaining why we felt we had paid him for his work and why we felt we didn't need to pay him any more. Shortly after that he began harassing me with personal letters that he sent to me. One letter suggested that he put his hands around my throat, another letter threatened to meet me in public, other letters came swearing at me and calling me bad names. Then we were notified that he took us to a collection agency. When I phoned the agency and began reading them these letters, they said the case would be dropped immediately and that this guy had no case against us. Shortly after that, our telephone lines were cut one night, causing our business to be completely disabled for 24 hours. I phoned the police and told them that I suspected it was this person who cut the lines. The police called and talked to him and instructed him to leave us alone. I just received a letter from this guy's attorney saying we need to cease and desist and demanding we pay an amount of $1,200 immediately to avoid further collection. It's been almost a year of this and I'm tired of dealing with this. What action can I take? Can I sue for harassment and how much?

[JudyKayTee]

First, take all of the threatening letters to the Police and file charges against this person. The fact that he already has an Attorney and has sent you a cease and desist letter (what are you supposed to cease and desist doing?) is not good for your side.

If you can prove harassment, then you can sue him. What are your monetary damages? You would need to Attorney for this type of lawsyit and the Attorney can give you some guidelines.

If you paid him in full according to his invoices, why does he think you owe another $1,200? He, of course, could also sue you and then you would both prove your cases in Court.