full-time with a 1099 but I said no way, and wrote an offer letter to clearly state (twice) that I was a freelancer for 6k a month
I don’t understand the difference here. Freelancer for 6k a month (assuming still 40 hours) is the same as full-time with a 1099.
In both cases a 1099 has to be filed.
The freelance contract was a month-to-month contract it seems and you backed out of it mid-month.
So they do have a case against you.
It all goes back to what your contract states. Are there clearly laid out terms stating notice period?
Judging by you didn’t know when you would receive the other 50% of your agreed upon payment, you either don’t have a formalized contract, or your contract is poorly made up.
I think you jumped into freelancing without quite knowing what you were jumping into. As a freelancer you are your own business. It sounds like you did well for this company in the two weeks, but quitting early also caused them harm which you may be liable for–hopefully they cannot prove this harm is over and above the $1500 they already gave you.
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Accommodations that don’t live up to the expectations when you booked them.
You’ll be staying in a few shitty apartments with crappy work stations.
Some are dirty and can’t really be cleaned.