2014 Maryland Code
Criminal Law
Title 3 - Other Crimes Against the Person
Subtitle 7 - Extortion and Other Threats
§ 3-702. Extortion by State or local government officer or employee

(a) "Political subdivision" defined. -- In this section, "political subdivision" includes a:

(1) county;

(2) municipal corporation;

(3) bicounty or multicounty agency;

(4) county board of education;

(5) public authority; or

(6) special taxing district.

(b) Prohibited. -- An officer or employee of the State or of a political subdivision may not wrongfully obtain or attempt to obtain money, property, or anything of value from a person with the person's consent, if the consent is obtained under color or pretense of office, under color of official right, or by wrongful use of actual or threatened force or violence.

(c) Penalty -- Property value of $1,000 but less than $10,000. -- If the value of the property is at least $ 1,000 but less than $ 10,000, a person who violates this section:

(1) is guilty of the felony of extortion and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years or a fine not exceeding $ 10,000 or both; and

(2) notwithstanding any pardon, shall be barred permanently from employment by the State or by a political subdivision.

(d) Penalty -- Property value of $10,000 but less than $100,000. -- If the value of the property is at least $ 10,000 but less than $ 100,000, a person who violates this section:

(1) is guilty of the felony of extortion and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 15 years or a fine not exceeding $ 15,000 or both; and

(2) notwithstanding any pardon, shall be barred permanently from employment by the State or by a political subdivision.

(e) Penalty -- Property value of $100,000 or more. -- If the value of the property is $ 100,000 or more, a person who violates this section:

(1) is guilty of the felony of extortion and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 25 years or a fine not exceeding $ 25,000 or both; and

(2) notwithstanding any pardon, shall be barred permanently from employment by the State or by a political subdivision.

(f) Penalty -- Property value of less than $1,000. -- If the value of the property is less than $ 1,000, a person who violates this section is guilty of the misdemeanor of extortion and on conviction is subject to imprisonment not exceeding 18 months or a fine not exceeding $ 500 or both.

(g) Limitation. -- A prosecution for a felony under this section shall be instituted within 5 years after the crime was committed.