Victim of Scam support

Hi, I'm Emily. I am 24 years old. I honestly don't know how to start with my story. I started a business with a trusted childhood friend and I was doing all the work. I brought in a very high income over a period of 4 years. He was not involved in the business he was just handling the accounts section. We were both signatories to the account and since I had nothing to do with account transactions, he asked me to sign a number of cheques so that he doesn't have to bother me all the time. One day he came to me saying he had to travel urgently for medical care. He said he won't stay long just about a month. It's been 1 year as I'm writing now. All of a sudden the bank started calling me that there are some cheques presented with no funds which was a big surprise. I later realized that he had emptied all the accounts and left town! I am now being sued for over 500,000USD! He had given out cheques, taken all the income and investment and skipped town. The only way to sort all this is to pay the amounts or go to jail. Please I really need help. Whatever anyone can help can make a difference. I cannot do this alone, its a huge amount and impossible for me to sort out by myself. Please whatever you can spare will save me a huge deal. Please.

I would like to thank anyone who donates in advance and all I can say is that God will reward your kindness.