Harry's Case — Extortion (victim) — Extortionist Charged

Client:  Harry, Target of Extortion
Extortionist:  Ramone, Harry's young lover
Charges:  extortion, sexual exploitation, and child prostitution

Background:  If Ramone didn't get $30,000, he would tell everybody everything. Harry's work, his family, his friends, even his volunteer organization, they were all going to learn that Harry was gay, and how he, a respected 51-year old, had seduced a 17-year old boy. Harry suspected Ramone was bluffing but was terrified nonetheless. Two things Harry knew for certain. The first was that he didn't have that kind of money. The second was that he had no clue what to do. At our first meeting, I had the unpleasant task of identifying another risk. Since the police might become involved, Ramone, being under 18 at the time, might now accuse Harry of either sexual exploitation (alleging that Harry was in position of trust) or child prostitution (alleging that Harry had paid for sex). Ramone didn't make that threat, but it was still a risk. We were definitely in uncertain waters.

Goals:  Paying the money was out of the question: as Pascal can tell you, there is no final payment. We identified three goals. The first was to get the extortionist to leave Harry alone. The second was that it be done quietly. The third was to avoid criminal charges against Harry.

Strategy:  Extortionists tend to be bullies, and bullies tend to be cowards, picking on the weakest but cowering in the face of any real opposition. If we came on strong, I figured Ramone would back off. But for every action there is a reaction. And we weren't sure how Ramone would react if I sent, for example, a letter threatening to call the police. I might have done that but we had an Achilles heel. If we made such a threat, Ramone might make a preemptive strike. He might go to the police first alleging sexual exploitation and/or child prostitution. As I understood the facts, Harry wasn't guilty of either. But Harry was vulnerable. With a slight twist on the facts — for example, by alleging that Harry had exchanged gifts for sex — Harry could find himself in deep trouble. There was no path without risk. We settled on going directly to the police. If the police acted without warning, Ramone wouldn't have much time to concoct a false story. Moreover, even if he did, the story wouldn't be as credible.

Results:  Working with the police at 51 Division (Toronto Police Service), we set up a sting operation. I telephoned Ramone. I agreed to pay the money but insisted on a confidentiality agreement. Only then would I pay. A few days later Ramone attended my office. I had a second lawyer attend the meeting as a witness. Having confirmed the arrangement, I asked Ramone to wait while I got the money order. Ramone was smug as I exited the office. Two police officers promptly arrested Ramone, charging him with extortion. Months later, the Crown would decide not to prosecute Ramone, but the Court ordered him to have no contact with Harry. The Crown afterwards told me that he considered charging Harry: "that guy came as close as you can possibly come to being charged without actually being charged... but the case just wasn't there." Harry came up for a breath of fresh air.

READ HARRY'S TESTIMONIAL