Man faces extortion charges

A local man faces extortion charges after he allegedly blackmailed his ex-wife, threatening to put her in jail if she did not rework their divorce agreement.

The defendant, Ricarte Bernardo was indicted recently on one count of extortion by the same grand jurors who found no basis for the charges he had brought against his ex-wife, Anna Bernardo.

Bernardo had filed charges for fraudulent use of a credit card against his former wife, claiming she had used his credit card without permission to buy gas and merchandise. Grand jurors who heard the case, rendered a no-true bill in her case, meaning they found no evidence she committed such a crime.

Instead, grand jurors directed their focus on Mr. Bernardo who prosecutors say intentionally tried blackmailing the victim in hopes of having to pay less child support and less settlement in their divorce. Investigators say Bernardo insinuated to the victim that the credit card fraud charges against her would be dropped if a new deal was reached in their divorce settlement. It is unknown if the charges were originally taken with plans to commit the extortion; however, investigators believe the criminal charges were most recently used to hold over the head of the victim.

Lawmen say they have evidence of Bernardo’s intentions which they will present if the case goes to trial.