A former Philadelphia police officer allegedly tried to blackmail a Main Line college, authorities say.
Vincent Gaudini, 55, of Overbrook threatened officials at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr that he would expose alleged criminal activity on campus if the school didn’t waive his son’s $3,000 dorm fee, the Montgomery County district attorney told NBC Philadelphia.
The shake down came in the form of an e-mail in which Gaudini told the school that he had evidence of drug and firearms use on campus, according to authorities. The college sent the e-mail to investigators.
“He said to them that if you don’t do exactly as I say and remove this bill from his account, I’m going to make reports to police about criminal activity that involves the college,” District Attorney Risa Ferman told KYW1060.
Ferman said that the District Attorney’s office haven’t found any evidence that Gaudini’s allegations are true.
Among the charges against Gaudini is the charge of “compounding,” which means to accept money or benefit for not doing anything. Ferman said it may be the first time the DA’s office has ever filed that charge.
