Yes it is illegal ( it's called grand theft). Calif. has some of the best labor laws in the country. Tell him to give the shit back and call the calif. labor board and (believe me ) they will take care of it and then some. There is a 10,000 dollar fine for non payment of an employee ( even a contractor) and he will be on the clock untill he is payed. DON'T STEAL NOTHEN! It will hurt his case and he will end up in jail. CALL THE LABOR BOARD.
God is great, beer is good, and people are crazy.
This is CABL.com posting #336606. Tiny Link: cabl.co/mbzJi