A Rochester man has been charged with attempting to extort a local businessman, authorities announced today.
John L. Lyons, 45, of Caledonia, N.Y., was charged by criminal complaint with intending to extort money by threatening to injure the reputation of another. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
According to the complaint, between November 30, 2012 to December 20, 2012, Lyons posed as a private investigator in text messages to the president of a local company in Rochester who was involved in a contentious battle over control and operations of the family owned business.
Lyons, using his text messaging, stated to the victim that he had obtained incriminating information about the victim. The complaint further stated that if the victim paid the defendant $25,000 in cash, he would give the incriminating information to the victim, rather than turn over the information to the entities that hired Lyons to gather the information about the victim.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard A. Resnick is handling the case.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Cybercrime|White Collar Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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