Ex Employer Absolutely Driving Me Nuts

Hi!! I’m meeting with a lawyer this week but I feel like I need some educating before I go in thinking I know anything.

My husband was a 1099, but not a true 1099? I think it was the owners way of avoiding a W2. He never leased the equipment and was offered “benefits”. He is now withholding his final paycheck AND his personal belongings due to damage done to the trailer. (Truck driving company), and blaming my husband, saying he used a hammer to damage the trailer. He didn’t. I pack that man’s tool bag and make lists of what’s in there a hammer was never on that tractor and he doesn’t recall what happened. He didn’t notice the dents or damage until the trailer was washed and noticeable. He doesn’t know what happened or how it happened. They are still using this trailer but not the truck because his personal items are still in it. And the only “eye witness” this man brought up was someone else who is also working for him. Now he wants to sue us for 25k , to fix the trailer - keep his check - and his personal belongings- until we sign an agreement of 1,000$ a month + 150$ late fee after the first.

I find it sketchy and I’m at a loss. He’s threatening to file a felony charge against my husband for it unless we sign the contract and keeping his items until we sign it. He’s also saying me being hospitalized was inconvenient and tried to bring the contract to the hospital as I was on pain killers. He’s also called every lawyer in our town so we can talk to them. (Idaho) even though he has lawyers in Utah. ????