Shaun, as the representative making the calls to enlist the services of the abstractor you put yourself on the line.  Why would you make a promise you if you were not 100% absolutely sure you could keep it or have the "accountants department" do their job and make the payments.  That is what is wrong with this business and most of the US right now - Too many people making promises they can't keep.  While I might appreciate the fact that you are no longer with the company you still are on the hook as the person who made the promises.  I am sure you got paid the salary you were promised when you took the job.  Right????  Why should the abstractors expect any thing less.  They have given you their services and in return got nothing but the run around when they demanded what was rightfully theirs.  Maybe you should check out the company you plan on working for so you don't get caught up in these sorts of things.  

I am curious - why did you leave.  Was it a moral decision because you found out that the company you chose to work for ended up being a piece of crap or was it because you found a more lucrative position in another field where you can pull the wool over others.  The "i was just employee" defense doesn't work for me.  You could have stood up to the owner or your supervisor and demanded to see the proof that these people were paid in a timely fashion.  After all you were the contact person and therefore should have some responsibility.