The Third Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a district court opinion here that dismissed conspiracy and attempt charges under section 1951 (Hobbs Act) finding "that acting 'under color of official right' is a required element of an extortion Hobbs Act offense, inchoate or substantive, when that offense does not involve threatened force, violence or fear." The court looks at the text of the statute, the legislative history, and provides a wonderful discussion on the history of the phrase "extortion under color of official right." The bottom line is that "[c]onduct by an unsuccessful candidate in an election does not meet that requirement."

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