What is Considered to be Extortion in New Jersey

I just received the most intimidating email and believe it is extortion. I have a piece of property for sale. Went into contract negotiations with a buyer - buyer #1. He sent my lawyer a contract, we sent it back within 3 days - then didn't hear from them again for three weeks, even their realtor didn't know what was happening. During which time, another buyer, buyer #2, came and wanted to close quickly with us with better terms. Now Buyer #1 just wrote me the following - "If you do not close, I will tell you to be prepared for a legal lawsuit and litigation, as these buyers passed on an "approved deal" to proceed with this one and to say they will be upset is an understatement. They will file liens, etc. and do else whatever needs to be done to make sure that you are not just brushing them off. (NY buyers, especially, do not like to make deals and then be backdoored.) They have the money to tie things up for years and will do so, I assure you."

Isn't this extortion?

Sounds like a nasty letter to me.


Definitions of extortion on the Web:

* an exorbitant charge
* unjust exaction (as by the misuse of authority); "the extortion by dishonest officials of fees for performing their sworn duty"
* the felonious act of extorting money (as by threats of violence)
wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

* Extortion is a criminal offense, which occurs when a person either obtains money, property or services from another through coercion or intimidation or threatens one with physical harm unless they are paid money or property. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extortion

* Extortion is the unlawful demand or receipt of property or money through the use of force or threat. A typical example of extortion would be when armed police or military men exact money for passage through a roadblock. Synonyms include blackmail, bloodsucking and extraction.
www.u4.no/document/glossary.cfm

* (also: Attempted extortion) – Where goods are obtained by a threat of future violence or some other kind of threat
www.nas.gov.uk/guides/legalTerms.asp

* Forcing a person to give up property through the use of violence, fear or under pretense of authority.
www.leanlegal.com/dictionary/e.asp

* The obtaining of property from another induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear, or under color of official right.
http://www.dallas-criminal-law-attor...m/glossary.php

* Taking money by force, threats or deception or by excessive overcharging.
www.godonthe.net/dictionary/e.html

* Using violence, fear tactics, or false pretenses to force a person to give up property.
www.white-collar-crimes.com/criminal_terms.shtml

So isn't this extortion? He is threatening me that if we don't sell our property to him, then he will file liens and take us to court. Even though we are not in contract? Also he doesn't want to meet the terms of sale set forth by us, the seller?

You appeared to suggest that there was a contract, but that you found a new buyer when you didn't hear back from this person after signing and returning the contract.

What does your lawyer say?

We were negotiating on the terms. Contract was never signed by either side.

Then it sounds like an intimidation tactic.