Authorities have charged a federal OSHA inspector in Ohio with trying to extort $10,000 from Larry Flynt’s Hustler Club in Cleveland.

Joseph Schwarz was arraigned on extortion charges and released on $5,000 bond.

Authorities say from June 3 to July 12 this year, Schwarz sent emails to the club falsely claiming he had video of customers performing illegal sex acts and drug activity.

Schwarz allegedly used his work and home computers to extort $10,000 from the club. Prosecutors say he falsely claimed to be a lawyer when asking for the money.

On July 12, the FBI Violent Crimes Task Force set up a meeting to exchange money and arrested him.

Authorities declined to say how they were tipped off about the alleged extortion, but they say the Hustler Club cooperated in the investigation.

Tags: blackmail, extort, OSHA inspector