Legal Definitions - extortion

Extortion is a serious crime that occurs when someone unlawfully obtains money, property, services, or an official act from another person by using threats, force, intimidation, or by abusing their position of authority. It involves compelling someone to give up something valuable against their will, often through fear of harm, exposure, or damage, rather than through legitimate negotiation or agreement.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of extortion:

• Example 1: Digital Blackmail

  A hacker gains unauthorized access to a celebrity's private emails and personal photos. The hacker then contacts the celebrity, threatening to release this sensitive information to the media unless a substantial sum of money is paid into an untraceable cryptocurrency account. The celebrity, fearing severe damage to their reputation and career, feels compelled to comply.

  This situation illustrates extortion because the hacker is unlawfully obtaining money (something valuable) by using a powerful threat (exposure of private information) to coerce the celebrity into making a payment against their will.

• Example 2: Abuse of Official Power

  A city council member, who has influence over zoning permits, informs a real estate developer that their application for a lucrative new building project will face "unforeseen delays" and likely rejection unless the developer makes a significant "donation" to a specific, obscure charity controlled by the council member's family. The developer, needing the permit to proceed, feels pressured to make the donation.

  This is an example of extortion because the council member is abusing their official authority ("under color of office") to unlawfully obtain something valuable (a donation) by implicitly threatening to obstruct the developer's legitimate business interests if their demand is not met.

• Example 3: Protection Racket

  A local criminal gang approaches a new restaurant owner in their territory. The gang leader "offers" to provide "protection" for the restaurant for a weekly cash fee. While no direct physical threat is made, the leader makes veiled references to other businesses in the area that have experienced unexplained vandalism or a sudden loss of customers after refusing similar "offers." The restaurant owner, fearing for the safety of their business and employees, starts paying the fee.

  This scenario demonstrates extortion because the gang is unlawfully obtaining money (the "protection" fee) through intimidation and implied threats of harm or damage, compelling the restaurant owner to pay for a service they do not want or need.