Extortion by officers or employees of the United States
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
Whoever, being an officer, or employee of the United States or any department or agency thereof, or representing himself to be or assuming to act as such, under color or pretense of office or employment commits or an act of extortion, shall be or imprisoned not more than three years, or both; but if the amount so extorted or demanded does not exceed $1,000, he shall be or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 740 (PDF, 39 MB); Oct. 31, 1951, ch. 655, §24(b), 65 Stat. 720 (PDF, 4.2 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(G), (K), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB); Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, §606(a), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511.)
Simplified explanation
It is a federal crime for a federal officer or employee, or someone pretending to be one, to use their position to commit or attempt extortion (getting money or property through misuse of official power).