Q: Federal Extortion/Blackmail
Is it a form of extortion or blackmail if an offender created a website and social network profile posting the victimś passport document and a slew of libelous content as it relates to the victims profession as a doctor, founder of a start up company and criminal turptitude (fraud & theft) but stated in an email to the victim that they will happily remove the website and profile if they make payment of a sum they feel they are owed under a purported breach of contract? I ask and am a bit confused because the Act seems to address threats only. If there was no threat at the outset and brought to the victims attention by readers and contacts of the victim, but blackmail after the fact, does this fall within the ambit of the Act? Thank you for your time.
A: This is much more than a basic legal question, it requires knowledge of more facts than you have given, and probably some research. Get to a local criminal defense attorney for a full discussion.
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