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I think that trying to obtain goods or services through threat of initiating criminal proceedings is usually illegal.

Wash. Rev. Code §§ 9A.56.110, 9A.56.130, 9A.04.110

For example



founder is clearly an asshole but "reporting it as income to the IRS" probably doesn't count as "threat of initiating criminal proceedings" as it's likely something that they are enjoined to do anyways.


> something that they are enjoined to do anyways.

Indeed, this is the key to make it "not blackmail".




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