I am a victim of a con artist but could be tried for blackmail?

[Soliel67]

I was scammed by a builder for $7,000. He was my handyman...we worked together fine for at least a year...then he took two downpayments for two large projects and just decided he didn't want to pay me.

He's done awful things to me. He wrote me four bad checks in his false effort to pay me back. He's threatened me with accusations if I dare take him to court. He has blatantly said "so sue me", "do what you need to do, I am done", and has had zero care what he has done to me. I found out he is a con man.

I have been doing a lot research about him online to try to understand who I am dealing with.

I found out he scammed another person in the past and avoided summons for small claims by claiming that he wasn't properly served. I found out he is an unlicensed contractor. I found out two others (at least) have taken him to court.

I discovered that he sells used cars illegally on the street.

One day I found this info and I felt empowered. I was sick of his ignoring me. I called him up and told him I know he sells used cars on the street illegally and I know his employer and maybe his employer should know what he has done to me. I told him I suggest he pay me!

After I did that I saw him on the street...he lives very close by. He yelled "Extortion"!!!

I thought about it and did some research...I guess I did something wrong. I guess what I said was blackmail but I didn't realize it! I was just doing my best working with a crook who stole my money and was trying use everything at my disposal to get my money back!

Now I am scared to even try! I am wondering if I could get in deep trouble for blackmail even though it is HE who conned me, started all this trouble and blatantly broke the law many times! The ONLY thing I did wrong was choose him and try to get my money back (but obviously the wrong way).

I realized he threatened me, too. He wrote me a long note....trying to scare me from telling what happened to me. He was going to divulge lies...(I am not worried I have done nothing wrong) but he tried to say he will embarrass me or divulge things about my business and tenants and how I run my business (which is fine). He is also ready to accuse me of assault. No assault happened...since this whole thing has happened he has done nothing but make up stuff to scare me and try to ruin my character when he is the con man, not me.

The point is, he was blackmailing me months ago...I just didn't realize it.

I just dont' know what to do. This man is a menace...a low life. I KNOW I am not the only one he has scammed. He has hurt others but now I am afraid he'll make ME the criminal...can he?

Oh, I didn't tell his employer and I didn't tell on his business. I really don't want to do these things...was just trying to do what I could with this rip off artist who just stole so much from me!!! I've given him many many chances to do the right thing...and he failed each and every time!

Can he punish me with a civil suit for blackmail even though HE is the criminal? Could he punish me with a civil court case after my small claims?

I have no bad record at all. I've never dealt with darkness before.

[lechampignonvert]

In threatening him with information you have if he doesn't meet your demands, you were indeed blackmailing this man. That said, if everything you say is true, the last thing this guy will want to do is actually take you to the law and try to charge you for blackmail. So, either your blackmail will work and he will pay you and disappear, or take him to court, show all of your evidence, and see which side the law finds in the right.