Originally Posted by
pixilation 
You know, with the way they are "blackmailing" you, isn't that something that could be reported to the state labor board? At least after you are collecting unemployment that is(and I wouldn't turn that away either, you have family to take care of)
They will most likely deny anything that is not in writing. If you could e-mail them and request a reference letter then their written response might be something that you could use later. Because what they are doing seems at the least unethical.