2.14. Extortion

• A person who intimidates or influences another to provide or hand over properties or services.

• A person who utilizes or threatens their power or authority with demonstrated malice aforethought in order to compel action by another.

• A person who utilizes privileged information to intimidate another for certain property or services.

- Penal Code (2)14 is a felony punishable by no more than 30 months imprisonment and no more than a fine of $500.

NOTES

Extortion depends on a person or organization using its authority, power, or influence to intimidate and threaten someone in return for property or services. Property may be demanding money to keep quiet or demanding a certain personal payment to prevent a strike.

Extortion may serve in lieu of corruption depending on the circumstances, or if it involves a private organization.

A union threatening a strike or collective worker action is NOT extortion unless a specific leader or member is being paid to influence union operations.