I have a genreal contractor that hasn't paid his subs that replaced my roof. I want to hold payment until he provides proof, he's threatening to sue.

This roofer has a history or either not finishing the work or not paying his sub contractors. I had the sub reach out to me saying that he hasn't been paid and is owed over $20,000 from the general contractor. I told the general contractor that I want proof that he's paid his sub contractors before he gets the final insurance check. It's been about a month since it's been finished and he's threatening legal action and incurring late fees. His business also does not have a license in TN, it is only listed as "in process", does that mean the business should not be doing home improvement work without the license? I just want to do the right thing for the sub contractors while also not getting financially screwed in the process by holding out that final payment.