The good news your car is still there and one way or another about to be released. Sounds like it’s time to speak with a lawyer to learn what, if any, options exist to reclaim your funds however sounds like you’re getting in line for what’s likely a dry hole.
I totally feel for you. People don’t understand how daunting it is to turn your car over to someone for paint and body - especially when you can’t drop a zillion dollars. The guy I used was a total PITA. Super reputation. Amazing work on hot rods. He seemed great. He took forever and messed some stuff up but in the end the car looks good. (Following an unbelievable amount of help from an out of town friend who cut and buffed it.) I will not, however, make the “use my car for fill-in work†agreement with anyone ever again. Should I ever do another car, next time it’s agreed upon progress via personal inspection over a set period or I’m looking else where. There are too many bad outcomes. At times I feared I was going to be one of those bad outcomes. As it was, the guy kind of ruined my zeal for the hobby and it took me forever to reassemble the car because of it. One gets passed it in time but I feel for you.