Source: Seattle Post Intelligencer

Cody Castagna (c. 2004 photo via Fleshbot)

Cody M. Castagna, 27, of Medical Lake is charged in Spokane County Superior Court with, among other things, extortion of former state Rep. Richard Curtis.

Qnews update: Prosecutors drop all charges against Castagna in Curtis sex/'extortion' scandal (17-June-08)

Police said Curtis, a Republican from La Center, agreed to pay Castagna for sex in a Spokane hotel room while the legislator was in town for a GOP retreat in October. Curtis, who voted against gay-rights bills in the Legislature, resigned shortly after the scandal broke.

Spokane investigators are aware that a couple of victims in Seattle, and others, may fear coming forward because of potential damage to their reputations or family lives, Spokane Officer Jennifer DeRuwe said.

Police suspect that Castagna was working a "circuit" that included men in the Seattle area who were blackmailed, similar to the situation involving Curtis. They likely were wealthy or established businessmen who paid the suspect, police said.

Talking with more victims would help police with the investigation, she said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Spokane Police Department at 509-242-TIPS.

Curtis called police a day after his rendezvous to report that he was being blackmailed. Castagna told police he agreed to have unprotected sex with Curtis for $1,000, but Curtis refused to pay.

Curtis awoke later that night to find his wallet, credit cards and legislative identification missing.

Curtis said Castagna later called him demanding an extra $1,000 and threatened to out him if he refused to pay. Curtis dropped off the money at a hotel counter, and another man picked it up.

Then, Castagna demanded more money, Curtis said, and Curtis called police, which drew media attention.

Full article: Man accused of extortion plot may have targeted Seattleites