Extortion

In common law, the corrupt collection by a public official of anexcessive or unauthorized fee; punishable as a misdemeanor. Under modernstatutes the offense includes illegal taking of money by anyone who employsthreats, or other illegal use of fear or coercion, to obtain money, and whoseconduct falls short of the threat to personal safety required for robbery.Extortion is used interchangeably with blackmail and is commonly punished as afelony.