A Princess Anne town commissioner has been accused of conducting an extortion scheme to keep someone from running as a Somerset County commissioner.
Maryland State Police said in a news release Monday that 25-year-old Lionel D. Frederick has been charged with three counts of extortion and theft.
State police say they began an investigation last week after receiving information that Frederick had approached a Somerset County commissioner, asking the commissioner for $5,000 in exchange for convincing someone to not run for the commissioner's seat.
Authorities say they conducted surveillance of a Monday meeting between the two officials after the county commissioner arranged to meet with Frederick and give him $2,500. Troopers say they arrested Frederick shortly after he received the money.
It is unclear whether Frederick has an attorney.
