Which of the following defines extortion as per the Hobbs Act?

The definition of extortion under the Hobbs Act specifically involves the unlawful obtaining of property from another with their consent, induced by wrongful use of actual or threatened force, violence, or fear. Therefore, the correct choice encapsulates the essence of extortion, which typically involves making threats against an individual to create fear or duress, leading them to give up their property or money.

Although the other options touch upon elements of coercion or theft, they do not accurately capture the legal definition of extortion as it relates to the Hobbs Act. For instance, legal pursuits for damages focus on rightful claims through the judicial system and do not involve intimidation or threats. Publicly coercing a business is a vague concept that may not involve direct threats or the specific elements of fear needed for extortion. Stealing money through fraud also diverges from the definition of extortion, which involves a victim's consent under duress rather than outright theft or deception through fraudulent means. Thus, the reference to threatening an individual directly aligns with the core legal understanding of extortion in this context.