You need to speak with an employment attorney as soon as you can. Your employer can not pick and choose to pay unemployment and what he did was illegal.  He coerced you by indicating that he would not pay you unemployment benefits if you were entitled to them (remember: you must be fired through no fault of your own and not for cause: i.e., stealing, etc.). Yes, he could fight your unemployment but that does not mean that you are not entitled to it.  The agreement needs to be set aside as executed under duress.  Seek legal hellp before you file.  You may need counsel for that as well.  Good luck.