You may have several remedies available to you:

1. Like some said, use the small claims court. Find out the name and address of the "Designated Agent" for the company. You can do that by contacting the "Secretary of State" in MI if its an MI based company or their bureau of business. It will be whoever does the licensing of businesses.

File the small claims action. Pay to have the papers "served". Take your logs or whatever to court. Even if the #$%$# (shpos) doesn't show up... the Judge will grant your request and the court will issue a judgment in your favor. I don't know about MI but in FL you can take the judgement to the Sheriff and register it and request collection. They are obligated under the law to seize property and sell it on the courthouse steps if he doesn't come up with the money.

2. Go to your states Labor Board, file a grievance. They will act on it.

3. Do not under any circumstances issue any kind of threat against him verbally or in writing. That can be construed in many states as "issuing a threat", aka verbal assault. Then you have more than money problems.

One other possibility is pay a lawyer to write a letter. Business owners don't like those letters, especially when a lawyer says he's going to pursue the issue....because the spos knows he will end up hiring a lawyer and paying him and yours.

This is a real crappy time for this to happen....but you have to follow a process or you won't get anywhere.

BTW, most lawyers will give a free "consult"...use it!