[Lazamataz]

When the parolee wanted more money or he’d go to the press, he stepped over a line called extortion.

Incorrect. Extortion is threatening bodily harm; blackmail is threatening to reveal embarrassing information.

[buccaneer81]

Interesting. I always thought they were one and the same, with "blackmail" being a colloquial or slang term.

Thanks, Laz.

[Graybeard58]

Extortion is threatening bodily harm; blackmail is threatening to reveal embarrassing information.

I'm not a lawyer and am not that familar with the terminology but my point was and is that he was getting into criminal territory and I'm pretty sure DeWine's lawyer told him not to pay anymore.

It would not have stopped at $80 and a cell phone. Add to that the fact that Dewine wasn't even the driver and I'm sure he had insurance on that vehicle that would help protect him from the con man.

Like I said, I'm not a lawyer and the bicyclist may not have committed a crime but you can rest assured there will be litigation, DeWine is a target.... If I'm allowed to say that.