Extortion

Extortion, in Law, is the offence or illegal act committed by a public officer who, under colour of his office, takes from any person any money or valuable thing which is not due from him at the time when it is taken. The act is a misdemeanour, and punishable as such. For example, if the governor-general of India wrongfully compel a native prince to pay sums of money to the Indian government (as was the charge against Warren Hastings), he commits extortion. The term has a special meaning in the criminal law of Scotland, in which it is also applied to the offence of compelling any one by force or fear to do any act which he would not have done of his own consent and inclination. For extortion in the sense of blackmailing, see THREAT.