 The Hobbs Act criminalizes , inter alia , the obtaining of property with consent by actual or threatened fear , if interstate commerce is affected . The economic fear prong of the Hobbs Act may be used to prosecute political corruption , as long as there is an affirmative act of inducement ; but only the payees ( bribe @-@ takers ) , and not the payors may be reached ( the latter have a defense of duress ) . Under the economic fear prong , " [ t ] he absence or presence of fear of economic loss must be considered from the perspective of the victim , not the extortionist ; the proof need establish that the victim reasonably believed : first , that the defendant had the power to harm the victim , and second , that the defendant would exploit that power to the victim 's detriment . " 
