Editor working for New York court reporter who won't pay for services rendered

[Misseditor]

I'm a California editor for court reporters. I work for many reporters all over the country. I have a young New York reporter who was paying me, but then stopped for personal reasons like an ex-boyfriend, car bills, etc. She owes me $5900.00 in past invoices. I edit her transcripts, send them back and she is supposed to pay me every two weeks or monthly. I have worked for her for three years. Two months ago she stopped paying me and said her ex-boyfriend took all her money.

We are freelance editors and it's not a type of self-employment that we use contracts because you will not get any reporter to do that. It's already been tested. I do have all my emails that I've accepted work, sent it back and emails that say she's sent me a check and promised as well. So I do have written communicaiton, but only in emails.

I have called, email, texted with no reply. I've spoken to her boss and they have their hands tied. California collection agencies says that New York is a hands off state. So I'd like to know if small claims here will work knowing that she will never come here. Is collections the only way? I really want to let this young girl know that you can't do that to people. I did learn that she did contact another editor to do her work and I found out, called that editor and told her my situation. So this girl will go from editor to editor. It's obvious she is not going to pay me, but I'd like to know what my options are. If there's any advice, I'm all ears.

 

[army judge]

You could sue her in small claims, but that would mean in a NY COURT.
You can't sue her in California, and collections has no authority to do anything but hound her.
Well, you could sue her in CA, but it'd be useless and fruitless.
Without a judgment, you're outta luck.

 

[Misseditor]

Thanks for the reply. I was thinking of using the IC3 complaint form since I was hired over the Internet and services were rendered, but I was not paid for my services; therefore, it's fraud and a crime. I have no idea how the IC3 complaint procedure pans out or if it's just a waste of time, but what could I lose already.

Basically I realize I can't sue from California and I heard that only a collection agency in New York would only work. But I'd really like to put some kind of criminal complaint and have no idea. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Proserpina]

If she paid you regularly for the better part of 3 years, you're going to have a hard time proving fraud.