Pennsylvania Crimes Code


Section 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.

 

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