I was laid off from my job a year ago. My previous employer sent me a notice saying that my 401k would be rolled over to an IRA unless I withdrew all my funds. The notice said that the new IRA would be rolled over within the same company that handles the 401k. It is signed by HR of my previous employer.

Instead of doing what my signed notice stated, my previous employer moved my 401k to an IRA with a completely different company. I was never notified in any way of the change in plans. Now, I'm paying out the nose to move my money again to a place of my choosing. The previous employer agrees that they should have notified me, to see if I still wanted to roll over my 401k, but feels they have done nothing wrong and at this time will not work toward a resolution.

Did they do anything illegal?

I just want to be reimbursed for the fees that were generated from the first rollover. I accept that I will be charged again for taking my money to a better IRA company.