Rep. Robert Wexler's Ghanian Extortionist Detained By Secret Service

BOCA RATON, Fla. — The U.S. Secret Service says a man is being held in the West African nation of Ghana after attempting to extort money from U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler.

The Florida Democrat called authorities several weeks ago after he was contacted by a suspect who had Social Security numbers for him and his wife. Wexler told authorities the man attempted to extort money from him and threatened to turn over the personal information to identity thieves.

Secret Service spokesman Ed Donovan says the man was arrested July 15 in Ghana and remained in custody Friday.

Since the man's arrest, several attempts have been made to open credit accounts with Wexler's personal information. Wexler's attorney says the investigation is ongoing and his office says he doesn't know how the man got his information.