Shaking Down a College

A former police officer in Philadelphia is facing extortion charges over an unconventional approach to dealing with his son's unpaid dormitory bill. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Vincent Gaudini Sr. is alleged to have sent Harcum College (his alma mater in addition to being the place his son enrolled at and failed to pay) e-mails saying he would tell authorities about drugs and guns on campus -- unless his son's bill became "a zero balance." College officials and Gaudini declined to comment.