My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: CA

So my story goes like this. I worked at Radioshack while still collecting unemployment benefits. I did report my earnings and everything. I decided i did not want to work there anymore one day and I just left the job. I left and never went back. I wanted to join the Navy and focus on school. So I did not report any more earnings hoping they would get the picture. They still sent me benefits for the next 6 months or so and then I get a call from them asking me what happened (6 months later). I told them the truth because I was not hiding anything. After the phone interview they sent me a notice of overpayment for the amount of almost $10,000. I appealed the first time because I didn't think it was fair, I had no job at the time, but was still seeking employment elsewhere. I managed to get a hearing with an administrative law judge and all he did was take away fraud penalties. I appealed again with the appeals board, stating I have no job and it would be unfair to make me pay such amount. I am going into the Navy in June and they might not take me with that amount of new debt. My question is what can I do now? Pay a lawyer in hopes of taking it further in court or just see if I can manage to get a job and give them all the money I earn?