A Brooklyn federal court unsealed a complaint on Friday charging Joshua Nass, a licensed New York attorney, with attempted Hobbs Act extortion. Authorities allege that Nass hired someone to use threats and physical intimidation to extract $500,000 from a former client and the client’s son.
Nass was detained on Wednesday and will make his first appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Clay H. Kaminsky today.
According to court documents, the conspiracy started in early January 2026. Prosecutors claim Nass hired someone to collect an alleged legal obligation from a former client, John Doe 1, and his son, John Doe 2.
Nass allegedly provided the recruit with the son’s phone number and home information in exchange for $3,000 in payment to visit and frighten him. During the recruitment process, Nass reportedly instructed the candidate to “do anything and everything” to ensure the money was paid.
According to federal authorities, between January and March, Nass met with the hired man several times to refine the extortion tactics. These discussions allegedly included intentions to physically beat the son or force him into a car with masked individuals in order to intimidate the family into paying.
Nass allegedly told the guy that if the son refused, he should not act like a “human being” around him. Nass reportedly agreed to a total payment of $15,000 for the enforcer’s services, providing $5,000 up front and the balance due once the $500,000 was collected.
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace underscored the significance of a lawyer apparently resorting to criminal behavior. “As alleged, Nass plotted the violent extortion of one of his own clients and hired an individual to ‘do anything and everything’ to force the client’s son to pay for services,” the statement continued.
According to FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr., Nass “allegedly chose to shake him down by hiring an enforcer,” and the FBI emphasizes dismantling such violent schemes.
The United States Attorney’s Office’s Organized Crime and Gangs Section is handling the case. While the charges are significant, the complaint is still an allegation, and Nass is deemed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted of the extortion charge, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
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