Agreed. You need a lawyer. Not necessarily to go to court, but at least to write some letters. That should not cost more than a few hundred dollars. Don't wait.
Document everything. Make copies. Store them somewhere safe.
Read Washington State law on extortion in the first degree.[1] Follow the link to the definition of "threat", especially the section on "official action": "To take wrongful action as an official against anyone or anything, or wrongfully withhold official action, or cause such action or withholding". It's really bad for a state official to attempt extortion. It's a 10 years in prison felony offense.
Edit: Having a lawyer write and send a letter on your behalf tends to resolve a large number of annoying situations.
A lawyer on the other side will have to read it. This immediately gets you past the first-line people to people who have to consider consequences.
Document everything. Make copies. Store them somewhere safe.
Read Washington State law on extortion in the first degree.[1] Follow the link to the definition of "threat", especially the section on "official action": "To take wrongful action as an official against anyone or anything, or wrongfully withhold official action, or cause such action or withholding". It's really bad for a state official to attempt extortion. It's a 10 years in prison felony offense.
Edit: Having a lawyer write and send a letter on your behalf tends to resolve a large number of annoying situations. A lawyer on the other side will have to read it. This immediately gets you past the first-line people to people who have to consider consequences.
[1] https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.56.120