Legal Question in Criminal Law in Massachusetts

Extortion

I am a Vice President of Sales for an International Company. Our US headquarters are in California and world headquarters are in Japan. My contract is up this December. I am in discussion to renew my contract. When discussing this with the GM (he is located in Hong Kong)He told me that my contracted would not be renewed unless I agree to pay him 10% of my salary. If I agreeded to pay him 10% my new contract would be sent to me within 2 weeks. If I don't pay him this amount he told me that chances are my contract will end in December. Is this consider extortion? Do I have a claim against the company?

Thank you


Asked on 11/02/05, 7:03 am

2 Answers from Attorneys
Barbara C. Johnson Law Office of Barbara C. Johnson

Re: Extortion

Sounds like Baksheesh to me.

Were you offered increase in pay?

Are you ahead of last year even with the 10 percent kickback?

Is the company in financial difficulty?

Is this just a sneaky way of offering you less money this year?

Do the people above the Genl Mgr know about the request?

Do you know whether it is custom in Hong Kong or in Japan?

You have jurisdictional issues here.

The law in Mass might have no applicability to your situation. If you are in CA, the GM is in China, and headqs is in Japan, why are you filing the question for Massachusetts attorneys to answer?

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Answered on 11/17/05, 2:34 am
Martha Kovner Law Offices of Martha J. Kovner

Re: Extortion

It does not sound like a legitimate business transaction to me. Does your curent contract say anything about paying 10% of your salary back? Can you talk to anyone above the GM about this issue?

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Answered on 11/02/05, 8:54 am


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