United States v. Williams

RONEY, Circuit Judge:

The Government here appeals the dismissal of an indictment alleging criminal extortion by a local public official under the Hobbs Act. 18 U.S.C.A. § 1951. The district court held the statute unconstitutionally vague and, alternatively, held that proof of coercion is necessary to sustain a conviction for extortion under the Act. See 18 U.S.C.A. § 1951(a), (b)(1). We reverse the district court on both of these holdings, and order that the jury verdict of guilty be reinstated.

Procedurally, defendant, an elected member of the school board for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, was…