Roommate Harassed Me, Moved Out, and Stopped Rent Check. Any Recourse

[LG_217]

My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: Minnesota

Earlier this year, my former roommate and I entered into a formal lease together at a well-known managed property in Minnesota. Naturally, in the lease, it says the whole bit about everyone being equally and wholly responsible for the rent.

Prior to her moving out, she was harassing me, I had to contact management and eventually the Police when a back and forth "I might move out I might not" conversation occurred. Initially, I told her to knock it off and when I told her I would be ignoring her, she said she wanted to move out if I had someone to move in and take her place (which I was in the process of doing and then did find). That girl came and toured the apt and then the roommate was adamant about me signing a "release agreement" to get her off the lease. Well, I arrived home a few nights later to find her moved out and a bunch of my stuff missing. I was informed by management to call the Police and involve them. I also had to have the locks changed, per management and consultation of the police since she had been threatening me and harassing me off and on and I had recorded proof and pictures of her doing so.

I agreed to release her from the lease under the condition that she was responsible for the rent, and this was acknowledged by a member of the management staff at the complex, and was told it was the best and for my safety. Her payment was taken out, so I then signed the release on Feb 7, 2011. Well, rent was taken out on Feb 4, and then was returned to the company as a Stopped Payment on Feb 10th they received the notification.

She also broke a light fixture on the way out when I had to have a police mediator in the apartment when she moved her last few large furniture items out. At this time, we did not know that her rent was coming back as Stop Pay. Her dad (some big super lawyer) is recorded as saying that he'd pay for it, no problem.

1.) How do I go about getting back the rent that I had to pay so I didn't get evicted?
2.) How do I go about getting reimbursed for or getting my stolen items back? (of which I took extensive inventory of and photo proof)
3.) How do I get reimbursed for the electric bill (that was in her name) that she never paid her portion of???

The management company said they wouldn't place an unlawful detainer or whatever it is and wouldn't try to recoup the money because it cost too much. I am on the hook for all that, and what she damaged will (at this point) have to come out of the damage deposit that I paid.

What recourse do I have?? I am scared to tackle this any more as her dad is some big super lawyer and I already got the law involved earlier this year. I have been in denial about what I can do about it, but I've been seeing her a lot (we work two buildings apart) and I am filled with absolute rage every time I see her and just want my money back and my stuff back.

Thanks in advance...

[Mr. Knowitall]

Small claims court.