I have very little insight on unemployment law, but I'm surprised that you were able to collect when you tendered your resignation to them in order to move. I guess I'm playing devil's advocate here, just trying to figure out how they were responsible in the first place. But it does seem like a denial on the front end would have been much better than paying it all out, then asking for it back!
Unemployment is a huge hit to any business, small or large, as their quarterly unemployment tax is determined by the amount of claims paid out. I'm only familiar with how it works in SC, but I did work for a small business as HR director several years ago, and anytime a worker was fired or quit, then applied for unemployment, we received a questionaire to complete regarding their work history, documenting of performance reviews, etc. Then it was up to the Unemployment Security Commission to make a decision, but we were within our rights to appeal their decision. Obviously when we had an employee whose employment was terminated by us for performance reasons, it was quite upsetting if they were able to receive an unemployment check! And I'm pretty sure that resigning or quitting immediately disqualified one from receiving benefits.
Like the others, I believe getting some legal advice right away is in order.
Good luck.
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