Law Practice
Jun. 22, 2002
Attorney Faces Extortion Trial In Alleged Plot
LOS ANGELES - A Monterey Park attorney and his female co-defendant could stand trial on charges they tried to blackmail a San Gabriel Valley businessman out of $250,000, saying they'd frame him for rape if he did not fork over the money, according to investigators.
Attorney Chunping Shen, 44, and Lian Wang, 45, of San Gabriel, are charged with two counts each of attempted extortion stemming from their alleged plot to blackmail Da Wei Wang in March 2001.
A preliminary hearing into the charges began Wednesday before Judge Carlos A. Uranga at the Alhambra branch court. People v Shen, GA046875 (L.A. Super. Ct., filed Aug. 28, 2001).
Contacted soon after he was charged, Shen declined to comment.
According to court document, Lian Wang visited Da Wei Wang's San Gabriel home. A few days later, Shen contacted Da Wei Wang, saying he represented the woman.
Prosecutors contend that Shen and Lian Wang tried to extort the money from Da Wei Wang, telling him that they would accuse him of sexually assaulting Lian Wang if he did not give them the hush money. According to authorities, no assault took place.
Shen and Lian Wang have pleaded not guilty to the charges. Both remain free on their own recognizance.
Shen is a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law. He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1995 and has no record of public discipline.
Anne La Jeunesse
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