Boss giving false info after refusing to doctor paper logs

Technically you did steel his truck or at least were trying to hold it unlawfully. Your out of gas on that issue IMO.

Having said that if they were contacting companies that you never even applied to trying to bar you from employment, you have a good case for a lawsuit against them for blackballing (http://work.chron.com/employment-laws-blacklisting-10369.html).

While an employer can say almost anything they want as long as it is truthful or there honestly held opinion as long as they are asked for the information, many states (including Texas) have laws that probate them from actively attempting to blackball you from obtaining other work.

From http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/employee-rights-book/chapter10-9.html.....

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Tex. Civ. Stat. Ann. Art. 5196(1) to (4)
Tex. Lab. Code Ann. § 52.031

Blacklisting or causing to be blacklisted.

Preventing or attempting to prevent by word, printing, sign, list, or other means, directly or indirectly, a former employee from obtaining other work.

Communicating, directly or indirectly, information about an applicant without giving the applicant a copy of the communication, and the names and addresses of those to whom it was made, within ten days of demand.

Receiving a request, notice, or communication preventing, or calculated to prevent, the employment of an applicant without giving a copy of the communication to the applicant, and the names and addresses of those to whom it was made, within ten days of demand.
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^^^^^ Keep on keepin on, man. Sounds like you finally got stuff working out for you. Be safe out here, driver~! Wish you the best.

 

Blacklisting does happen. In my case I am one of them According to Indiana Law if one particular employer did say in writing some of the things they VERBALLY told some of my prospective employers when I applied then I would have legal grounds to go after that employer. However they were not stupid. They just talked about it on the phone never writing anything down to comply with Indiana Law. And I do check that every time by requesting a written information on the application process as it related to that employer. If I find anything written and sent then it's a golden ticket.

Keep that in mind. Whatever happened. There is still BL's NoLos that go around the Nation. Many states have laws preventing that so if you detect it, then you might have something good. However.. The situation is over, you did keep the truck and load however short a time. That's literally a crime. You are very lucky to have your freedom especially in today's environment where people who own those trucks will simply call the Law and handcuff you no discussion.

 

Tell him call back and fix it or he's gonna be on the receiving end of a nice defamation suit which he can't deny because he told a 3rd party you stole a truck, which was obviously not stolen nor reported. He's too stupid to realize he hung himself by doing that to you.

 

He might be right in saying you stole it though. Here is what Texas law says.. as per http://www.criminaldefenselawyer.co...penalties/petty-theft-texas-penalties-defense

A person commits theft under Texas law if the person “unlawfully appropriates property with intent to deprive the owner of property.”

You did deprived him the use of the vehicle by keeping the keys, so calling it theft is very likely appropriate. Not to mention keeping the BOL, he now has no legal way to move the load (until he gets a copy of the bill anyway)