Breach Of Contract After Quitting Job 4 Years Ago

Just received a letter on the mail from a previous employer who is alleging I breached a contract back in 2022. I worked for a police department in NC where they paid my way through BLET. I graduated the academy and worked on patrol from 2021-2022. I quit around October of 2022 to pursue a different line of work. I had 2 exit interviews, one with the cheif at the time and another with Human Resources, there was no mention of me needing to make a payment or mention of a breach of contract. Mind you, when I signed on my recruiter at the time did not mention anything about reimbursement either. I don’t recall what was in my contract either. Now I’m getting a letter in the mail in 2026 that I breached my contract and owe the department 2,000 due to quitting one year in a 3 year contract. It stated I signed the contract in July of 2021 and was supposed to fulfill it to July 2024. In the letter they didn’t send a copy of my contract for me to review. I reached out to 2 attorneys who wouldn’t even give me a consultation and one would but only if I paid a 500 dollar consultation fee. The other two advised because it’s a local government they didn’t want to touch it . I want to send an email to the collection service department for the city requesting a copy of the contract, documentation of my exit interviews and a copy of how they calculated the 2,000. But I would also like to know what my options are in case the goes further. I have not been sued and it was just a letter sent in the mail. They also dated the letter March 6,2025 but said I needed to respond by March 5 2025?? How is that even possible? Any help?

And I forgot to add, the city currently was audited due to the former city manager misusing funds. The cheif that I worked under left right before news broke about the audit and I feel as though this letter is tied into auditors looking into old accounts. I just recently testified on a case that I worked while I was employed there and was told by one of the officers that the city is broke due to the old city manager misusing funds . I just wanted to add that.

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