It sounds like unless you can pressure the individuals involved, a judge will be a sore disappointment. Feel free to talk to a lawyer, but no lawyer will take this case unless you pay them upfront and they will likely tell you that you are going to lose this and its not worth your time/money.
Pure verbal agreements are obviously much more difficult to evidence, but any physical evidence whatsoever that indicates the existence and form of an agreement -- even text messages between the two of you -- will readily bind the parties in court.
Even if you don't have a contract It does not mean someone can keep your money.
As long as you can prove it's your money which is unlawfully kept hostage, you can sue.
I'm not saying that you should, but it's worth keeping in mind and discussing with your lawyer.
Equity won't happen now.
There was no contract. It was verbal mainly.
Thank you for the final settlement amount. I appreciate that advice!
I don't really care about the money now, rather the principle that he can't renegotiate invoices when he feels like it. His integrity is lost.
Defamation for what? For speaking to his investors? I sent them notice that I was informing them. I didn't want to threaten them. But I guess by notifying his customer base and buyers, it could be seen as that?
Cost-not-viable. Appreciate you lining that up!