So over the course of the past few months I had been paying my roommates way while he was getting back on his feet. I then found a new job, and had to leave my lease early. So I laid out some options for him on how he wanted to proceed as he was staying where he was. We were deciding over finding a roommate, or having him transfer to a one bed. Last minute he decides to break the lease and help me pay. Obviously, he didn't have the money at the time, so I posted it with his word that he would pay part (total being $2,880, asking him to pay part, see pic below) as well. The payment was processed, then a couple days later I wrote up a contract for what he owed me. When I approached him to sign, he told me he changed his mind about paying for the break fee. I said and DID take him to court. Even with the messages of him admitting to pay (http://i.imgur.com/XxyTEqF.png), in court it didn't hold up because, from how I understand it, there was no reason for him to agree to it (nothing in it for him; something called consideration that's needed for a contract to be valid apparently). He actually lied in court about it, saying he didn't understand, even though he could've told the truth and apparently still been in the "right". So, legally I suppose, he's allowed to get cold feet and not follow up on his word. Even though the only reason I agreed to it was because he would pay part, he doesn't have to be held honest. BTW fun fact: he brought his gf, brother and dad to court to scoff at me during the trail, talking and laughing. His dad literally laughing to my girlfriend's face during trial. A grown ass man, 3x my age who cant act like it who has unsuccessfully raised two characterless children. So now I'm in the hole for a break fee of $2,880. Finding him a roommate would've saved me all of that and the headache/stress/embarrassment of court, but because I did what he said he wanted to do, I get screwed over in the end. No good deed goes unpunished. From the outside, I look like a controlling asshole who gave him no option and tried to scam money out of him, but in reality, I worked with him all the way until the end, picking up his slack while he gets to leave me "high and dry" like he loves to say I did him.
So here's the reason I came here. I'm in a pickle because if I appeal, I might have the same verdict and that would cost me over $300 just to process and serve the appeal. I'm not going to beg, I dont believe in begging. So I'm trying to think of ideas to be made whole from this deadbeat. Had the thought of maybe doing some tf2 fundraiser or tournament thing. Selling custom designed socks (very seriously considering this one). If nothing else, I may just forgive it as an expensive lesson learned, but this is so wrong and I have to try to make it right. Legal advice welcome.
TL;DR Roommate pulled a fast one on me in the tune of $2,880. I need ideas to get that money back, since legally, I'm the only one who can be held responsible. So how do you think I should raise money?