Extortion Sting Results In Charges Against Maryland Man For Allegedly Trying To Squeeze $5K From Winning Bidder At Foreclosure Sale

In Elkton, Maryland, The Associated Press reports:

• The Cecil County Bureau of Investigation has charged an Edgewood man with extortion for allegedly demanding money from the winning bidder in a home foreclosure auction. Authorities say 48-year-old Frank Wilhelm telephoned the winning bidder one day after the auction and threatened to challenge the sale unless he was paid $5,000. Lt. Bernard Chiominto says challenging the sale would have frozen the bidder's payment, possibly for months.

• Wilhelm was arrested last Thursday in Perryville, after the winning bidder contacted police and helped them set up a sting. According to Chiominto, Wilhelm told investigators that he had heard that winning bidders "usually pay up" when threatened with a contested auction sale.

Source: Edgewood man faces extortion charge.