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Theft by extortion - 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 3923

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     § 3923.  Theft by extortion.
        (a)  Offense defined.--A person is guilty of theft if he
     intentionally obtains or withholds property of another by
     threatening to:
            (1)  commit another criminal offense;
            (2)  accuse anyone of a criminal offense;
            (3)  expose any secret tending to subject any person to
        hatred, contempt or ridicule;
            (4)  take or withhold action as an official, or cause an
        official to take or withhold action;
            (5)  bring about or continue a strike, boycott or other
        collective unofficial action, if the property is not demanded
        or received for the benefit of the group in whose interest
        the actor purports to act;
            (6)  testify or provide information or withhold testimony
        or information with respect to the legal claim or defense of
        another; or
            (7)  inflict any other harm which would not benefit the
        actor.
        (b)  Defenses.--It is a defense to prosecution based on
     paragraphs (a)(2), (a)(3) or (a)(4) of this section that the
     property obtained by threat of accusation, exposure, lawsuit or
     other invocation of official action was honestly claimed as
     restitution or indemnification for harm done in the
     circumstances to which such accusation, exposure, lawsuit or
     other official action relates, or as compensation for property
     or lawful services.
     (June 24, 1976, P.L.425, No.102, eff. imd.)

        Cross References.  Section 3923 is referred to in sections
     5708, 6105 of this title; section 3304 of Title 5 (Athletics and
     Sports); sections 5552, 9802 of Title 42 (Judiciary and Judicial
     Procedure).

Last modified: November 27, 2007