Former State Treasurer Charged With Extortion

Former Pennsylvania Treasurer Robert McCord, who resigned last week, now faces federal extortion charges.

The charges all stem from McCord’s failed bid for governor, The Philadelphia Inquirer said. McCord sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 2014, but lost to now-Gov. Tom Wolf.

McCord, of Bryn Mawr, has been the state treasurer since 2009. There were two years left on his term when he abruptly resigned last week, the Inquirer said.

The Inquirer said that last spring, McCord had spent $2 million of his own money on the gubernatorial primary race. In need of cash, McCord allegedly threatened a law firm and property-management company, saying that if they did not donate to his campaign, he would make it difficult for them to do business in Pennsylvania, pennlive.com reported. The law firm and management company have not been named.

McCord, 55, faces up to 20 years on each charge, the Inquirer said. McCord’s attorney has said he will plead guilty.

“Mr. McCord will be pleading guilty to certain federal charges to be filed arising out of his attempts in the spring of 2014 to raise campaign contributions from two potential contributors by communicating that if they failed to make campaign contributions, he could make it difficult for them to do business with the Commonwealth,” a statement released by McCord’s attorneys reads, according to pennlive.com.

A plea hearing is set for Feb. 17, the Inquirer said.

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