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In reply to the discussion: Economic Treason: The definition of "treason" and could Republicans be guilty of this crime (Part 2) [View all]2naSalit
(86,646 posts)47. Thanks to another diligent
and inquiring poster on DU there is also this legal tidbit to consider...
18 USC § 872 - Extortion by officers or employees of the United States
Current through Pub. L. 113-36. (See Public Laws for the current Congress.)
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 attempts an act of extortion, shall be fined under this title 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 fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
Current through Pub. L. 113-36. (See Public Laws for the current Congress.)
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 attempts an act of extortion, shall be fined under this title 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 fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/872
Penalty not hefty enough, though.
Definition of Extortion:
Extortion
Forcing action or obtaining something by illegal means. Anyone may commit extortion through force or coercion. A public or private official may also commit extortion under the color of office.
Definition from Nolos Plain-English Law Dictionary
The crime of obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right (such as pretending to be an IRS agent). A direct threat to harm the victim is usually treated as the crime of robbery, however. Extortion is a felony in all states. Blackmail is a form of extortion in which the threat is to expose embarrassing and damaging information to family, friends, or the public.
Definition provided by Nolos Plain-English Law Dictionary.
Forcing action or obtaining something by illegal means. Anyone may commit extortion through force or coercion. A public or private official may also commit extortion under the color of office.
Definition from Nolos Plain-English Law Dictionary
The crime of obtaining money or property by threat to a victim's property or loved ones, intimidation, or false claim of a right (such as pretending to be an IRS agent). A direct threat to harm the victim is usually treated as the crime of robbery, however. Extortion is a felony in all states. Blackmail is a form of extortion in which the threat is to expose embarrassing and damaging information to family, friends, or the public.
Definition provided by Nolos Plain-English Law Dictionary.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/extortion
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Economic Treason: The definition of "treason" and could Republicans be guilty of this crime (Part 2) [View all]
Samantha
Oct 2013
OP
You can't criminalize legislators' actions in proposing or voting on a bill
pinboy3niner
Oct 2013
#6
I liked the words "betraying America" because that is exactly what they are doing
Samantha
Oct 2013
#25
Of course you grant this same right for those that disagree with Dem policies, right?
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2013
#40
So in your opinion we citizens should sit quietly in the bleachers and say nothing but hope
Samantha
Oct 2013
#20
While it is arguable that what the Repubs are doing is "equivalent" to treason,
Nye Bevan
Oct 2013
#8
Yeah, and when we were fighting WW2 the Japanese printed all sorts of unflattering
Nuclear Unicorn
Oct 2013
#41
I thought it was an excellent question and planned to see what I could find as well
Samantha
Oct 2013
#43