Is it blackmail if you retract your demand?

[1j0e]

I am located in Ohio.

Someone offered me money for helping him cheat on his exam in school. I accepted his offer and helped him, but now I think he's refusing to pay. I considered threatening to tell his instructor that he cheated if he doesn't pay (yes I know it sounds wrong, but the guy is refusing to pay). I know that's probably blackmail, but I want to know if it's still legally blackmail if I say I no longer want the money and then just tell him that I am going to report him to his instructor for cheating.

Of course I would still want him to pay, but is there any way I could get in legal trouble if I tell him that I no longer want the money? Again, sorry if this sounds wrong or inappropriate, I just want the money he owes me.

EDIT: clarification

 

[racer72]

Once a crime has been committed, there are no give backs.

 

[1j0e]

Once a crime has been committed, there are no give backs.

No, you misunderstood. I'm asking if it's blackmail if I retract my demand for the money, then make the threat. In otherwords is it blackmail to make a threat with no accompanying demand, even though I still expect him to pay. I'll edit my original post for clarity.

EDIT: clarification

 

[Zigner]

No, you misunderstood. I'm asking if it's still blackmail if I retract my demand for the money, then make the threat. I'll edit my original post for clarity

Is there no honor amongst crooks?

 

[Eekamouse]

He won't be the only one getting in trouble. You'll be in trouble too for helping him cheat.

 

[1j0e]

He won't be the only one getting in trouble. You'll be in trouble too for helping him cheat.

I'm not in his class, he found me online and I helped him via text messages

 

[Eekamouse]

And you don't think you'll also get in trouble when it's reported to your school?

 

[1j0e]

And you don't think you'll also get in trouble when it's reported to your school?

Who says I'm in school?

But no, I don't think the odds are high that a person in my position would get in trouble with his school for helping someone else cheat like this. I think it would be pretty hard to prove, even if he did somehow find out what school I go to and try to report me. And anyway, I probably wouldn't really report him, I just don't want to get in trouble for threatening him.

 

[Eekamouse]

Who says I'm in school?

But no, I don't think the odds are high that a person in my position would get in trouble with his school for helping someone else cheat like this. I think it would be pretty hard to prove, even if he did somehow find out what school I go to and try to report me. And anyway, I probably wouldn't really report him, I just don't want to get in trouble for threatening him.

Then don't threaten him.

 

[1j0e]

Then don't threaten him.

Or alternatively, I could threaten him legally so that way I also get the money he owes me

 

[Eekamouse]

Or alternatively, I could threaten him legally so that way I also get the money he owes me

And how are you going to do that, oh wise one?

 

[1j0e]

And how are you going to do that, oh wise one?

That's what I'm posting here to find out

 

[LeeHarveyBlotto]

Can't trust a cheater. Who knew?

 

[Ladyback1]

Or alternatively, I could threaten him legally so that way I also get the money he owes me

here's how court goes:

OP--I'm suing because he didn't pay me for a service I provided
Judge: and what service was that?
OP: cheating on a school exam
Judge: case dismissed!

 

[1j0e]

here's how court goes:

OP--I'm suing because he didn't pay me for a service I provided
Judge: and what service was that?
OP: cheating on a school exam
Judge: case dismissed!

No by threaten him legally, I mean legally threaten to report him to his instructor. (As opposed to illegally threatening him)