An Iowa City man was charged with extortion after threatening a man to sign a contract.

Mark Grunzweig, 53, 320 S. Dubuque St. Apt. 213, was charged Dec. 2 with assault, false imprisonment, and two counts of extortion.

According to Iowa City police complaints, the alleged victim went to Grunzweig’s apartment to pay him a debt. The victim claimed Grunzweig was upset he hadn’t received the money earlier and tackled the victim to the floor after pulling him into the apartment, police said.

Grunzweig reportedly threatened the victim’s life while holding an utility knife a foot from the victim’s face. Against the victim’s will, Grunzweig allegedly forced the victim to walk to a bank and get a homemade contract signed by a notary.

Extortion is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine.

— Nina Earnest