[AppyPappy]

It does matter. You cannot extort money from people. If he had drained the lake, I would say that is his business. If he had said "I cannot afford the liability, pay for the insurance or I'll drain the lake", I can understand that. But this method was clearly extortion.

[Lazamataz]

It does matter. You cannot extort money from people. If he had drained the lake, I would say that is his business. If he had said "I cannot afford the liability, pay for the insurance or I'll drain the lake", I can understand that. But this method was clearly extortion.

Morally, obviously. Legally, no one cares.

I think the county can intervene and is more likely to due to his moral failings. But legally, he is untouchable.

[Jay W]

His methods may appear unseemly, but really, they are not extortion.

Black's Law Dictionary 6th Edition defines extortion as "the obtaining of property from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right."

He did not engage in extortion.