A question came up earlier as to whether an employer would look unfavourably at ex-Unique pilots or not. We have just taken one on (not one who has been posting here) and, having his CV, mikehammer will be on the positive pile when he has a few more hours. I am sure Phil feels similarly. So don't be concerned if you have been taken in by MD.
It's a learning experience, and if you take the right lesson from it then it can be good for you. Doing things the right way is always easier than when you have had to do things the wrong way. That is why the legal operators have to do it this way!