My question involves criminal law for the state of: New York
I was approached by an individual who told me that he was looking for specific information. I told her that I did not have the information. She called again, and asked if I could find it for her. After several calls, I agreed, and a price of $3000 was agreed to.
After I researched the information and obtained the desired results, a meeting was conducted, where she gave me a check for $3000 and took the documentation from my research. Later, I found that there was a stop payment on the check. I contacted police, who said that they consider bad checks a civil matter. I pointed out that this was not a bad check, it was a stop payment, and therefore a willful act to defraud me of my labor of performing the research.
From study, I believe that a civil action may well be successful. I also learned out that she worked in concert with someone else who unsuccessfully tried to get the same information. Specifically, I believe she was in collusion with that person, and that they two of them conspired to defraud me of my effort.
I believe that in addition to making me whole, this / these people should also answer to criminal charges, however the DA is said to say that he will not pursue felony charges where a bad check is involved. I believe this is a larceny crime. Either way the DA has indicated that given the stature of the individuals, he will not prosecute.
So my question is, I thought that a DA was required to prosecute all cognizable crimes. Would a criminal complaint from me, sworn to the local court make this a cognizable crime? Additionally, other than through the DA, is there any way to have this matter heard by the Grand Jury?
Thank you for your thoughts.

