I still don't know if it's true the license # had to be leaked to the press. I agree, I heard it said once, that Moose was legally restrained from releasing that information and he (behind the scenes) said, ok leak it and I will be the bad guy and take the heat for not doing it. (It just doesn't fit)
I still can't fit in the extortion part either. That was dumber than dumb. What was it that drove them to communicate with the cops, thinking they could get the money and run?