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Supervisor is accused of trying to extort $80,000

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From Times Staff and Wire Reports

Federal authorities Thursday charged a rookie San Francisco lawmaker with fraud for attempting to extort $80,000 from a group of fast-food proprietors who had business permit troubles with the city.

The felony charge stems from an FBI sting that included owners of a tapioca drink shop delivering a $40,000 payment to Supervisor Ed Jew in marked $100 bills earlier this year, and promising to deliver the rest of the money later. Jew, 47, has acknowledged taking the money, but said he did so at the businessmen’s insistence and on behalf of a consultant he recommended that they hire to help with their permit problems.

Jew is charged with a single count of mail fraud by allegedly attempting to shake down the owners of the Quickly chain of drink shops.

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