N.H. Lawyer Who Sought Private Settlements Convicted of Extortion

Daniel Hynes of Manchester, N.H. told a Concord hair salon to pay him $1,000 about 15 months ago or face a lawsuit because its different prices for men and women were discriminatory.

In one court document, he said the unequal prices at Claudia Lambert’s salon caused him mental anguish. That’s even though the salon charged women more than men.

Last month, a Manchester District Court jury convicted him of theft by extortion, a misdemeanor.

Hynes said he plans to appeal. “The conviction goes against the First Amendment,” he said. “People have a right to petition the courts.”

Asked why he contacted the salon directly, he said he was seeking “as amicable a resolution as possible.”

Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Baker said Hynes sent letters to at least 19 salons in the state. The one to Claudia’s said prices should be based on the time required or the length of the customer’s hair, not gender. “I demand payment in the amount of $1,000 in order to avoid litigation,” he wrote.

Authorities arrested Hynes when he came to collect $500.

A jury deliberated for about 90 minutes before convicting Hynes. He faces up to a year in jail and a $2,000 fine.