I was involved in a business last month. What happened, I worked for a guy who had sub contracted a job from an institution. He paid me last week dues and used to hold my hours for the current week. I guessed, it might be due to official transaction which delays the payment. He kept me going on paying like that for couple of weeks. Later, he told me he had some dispute with the institution and payment would be late for few days, in the mean time I kept keep going on working. That fellow did not show up but we finished the job. By the time we finished the job, he owed me more than 200 hours.

I have been working for many people in USA since last 1 1/2 years, every time I used to write my hours( as everybody does like that) in my personal diary and later copied in a small sheet of paper to give the employer for the payment which is being accepted duely. I have never been in a rediculous situation like this before.

What I was doing since last few days was contacting this guy in the phone and inquiring what was going on about the payment. Sometimes he replied he had submitted our hours to the institution and he was settling the dispute with them and it was in the process of payment. Once he replied he got paid and he would be any time at my apartment with due money but did not show up. Last friday, he phoned me and told his car broke , mobile was down; he would be at my place at anytime.Nothing happened and long holidays began.

What I did throughout the period was I recorded using my computer everything what he talked with me in the phone-I am using SKYPE to talk to him. He paid other guys full in the mean time as he had a big fight(.... as these american says in such circumstances).Everything is recorded in his own voice how many hours he owes me and what he was promising me day by day.It is more than 3 weeks he is hiding from me in a way or the other.I am sure he is not going to give me other than a SHIT if I do not take any strong action. Somebody,lying and hiding a weired situation for me.Now, I have to come to the action when the office reopens after the long holidays.

Some of my American friends is suggesting to go to the court house and file a complaint.What would be a wise idea whether to tell the guy what I am doing to him or file a complaint and settle in the court? Is not there any chance of people going mad and doing any unusual activity as he is fallen in the trap?

Tyo bajiya chai mero paisa le pura shopping garera chistmas manaudaichha-maile testai suneko; aafu chai anido basdai Sajha basi sanga sallaha magnu parya chhai........let me see..... Kanuni raaj ma malai kaha puryaune ho!

Thanks! stx109ditto. I will try to find and go through ways you suggested. Yes I have employment authorization to work in USA.My point is whether it is better to let him know what I am going to do him or not. By letting him know my possible legal action, he might hasten to pay the dues. I once threatened his wife if he does not contact me within 10 O'clock of Friday morning, I would go to the Institution and talk to the sinior officer who was supervising us during our work. In the mean time when I was talking to the junior of the concerned institution at 10 O'clock at Friday morning , December 22,2006, his wife phoned me not to go to the institution as the guys would come to see me any time at the same Friday afternoon. But he did not show up. My intention to go to the institution was to blacklist him as I was not hired by the institution directly-I think he would be barred from getting any more assgnment if I file complaint against him.

Few things troubling me-On the great festival, disturbing somebody, was not wise; which I did not do as I know his small children and wife ,too. Fighting at the court, I remember back home what happens when somebody goes to the court . I can not keep quite because 200 hrs I worked was not regular hours-Its hard earned! I have whole day to consult and think about it.

Sue the bastard.

It seems you have kept the records, that will be helpful. Get yourself a good lawyer. Best if the lawyer agrees to get paid only if and when you get paid. I heard lawyers will work for free, but will take 33% of whatever money that comes in.

So, sue him for those 200 hours. Sue him for pain and suffering. Sue him for all legal costs - including lawyer and court costs.

That bastard will think twice before he tries to stiff another person again.

Please be aware of this kind of fraud.Now a days.. Small consulting company opening these kind of guy are ready to pay more salary than smapp company.. they will pay couple of weeks good then they will say i am busy.. and i went india or ....some kind of Natak.. I will send you check.. Let me ask my payroll department.. Or they will say they have issue with your company Blah Blah.. Then they will again send your firt payment after 2 month..It like you will wait 1 month for the check by the time you figure out it will be 2 month.. then He/She will be in touch then it will again 1 month+ then... it like you have 3 month due.. Then they will send first check.. you will think really something happen.Now what will happen is you will have due about 4 month with that employer.. and it is hard to leave money if you leave the company that way they will make you slave.So, please make clear while joining the consulting company.. If they won't pay in time then think that he/she playing something.

IF you sue him..his company will close but he will open another one with different name.So, please make clear of that........

Sue him get money.. change your H1 or job or talk to your company where you work.. they will take you.

Guys be aware with dhotis or pakistani company. i have found some dhoti company in dallas areas doing such fraud. some of em are caught and put under the custody too.
jayamatadi