Can my previous employer charge me for the second half of a job that was not completed?

They call me an independent contractor but, I drove their van, used their tools, they made my schedule. They owed me for other jobs but now are trying to charge me for the remaining balance from a job that was not completed due to an unhappy client. The company already deducted 550$ from my pay for that job. I could go on and on. It is a mold remediation company that I worked for. The owner is married to the so called independent lab owner. In the past I sent in blank samples as a test. The results had mold on them which is impossible. Mostly, I want to know if they can keep the money I'm owed, am I an independent contractor, and how do I expose the truth about this company. I know the owner and wife's real name but all other employees use fake names.