People v. Squillante

The defendant, Bernard Adelstein, demurs to an indictment charging him and his codefendants with the crime of extortion, in violation of section 850 of the Penal Law. The indictment consists of four counts, each of which alleges that during the month of April, 1955 the defendants, each aiding and abetting the other and acting through their agent, Thomas Nolan, an alleged business agent and representative of a local sanitation workers ’ union, made threats to various store owners in this county and as a result thereof obtained property from the victims with their consent. The alleged threats…