SAXONBURG — A New Kensington man on Wednesday received a continuance for a preliminary hearing in which he is accused of attempting to extort his employer, Du-Co Ceramics.

Free on $50,000 unsecured bond, Ramon P. Livingston, 43, appeared before District Judge Sue Haggerty. Livingston is charged with two felony counts of attempting extortion, as police have accused him of trying to extort $35,000 from the Saxonburg-based company.

According to charging documents, Saxonburg Police were called around 8:32 a.m. Feb. 7 by an attorney representing Du-Co Ceramics, a company that makes parts, pieces and components from its namesake material.

The attorney turned over to police an email, allegedly sent at 7:20 a.m. that day by Livingston to a union representative. A transcript of the email was included in the affidavit of probable cause.

“I’ve lost faith in Du-co tactics,” Livingston allegedly said. “I will let no man put me under his/her thumb.”

According to police, Livingston wrote that he had found multiple violations of safety standards of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and National Electrical Code.

Police said he also claimed to have photographs and printed emails to back some of the claims. In the email, Livingston allegedly mentions $35,000 and insinuates that amount of money would prevent him from calling safety officials.

According to an alleged email, there is no direct request for payment; however, some statements allude to the idea, according to police.

“This might sound crazy, but think about everyone’s job there before you answer,” Livingston allegedly said. “Move quick. I’m itching to call these people. Shut me up!”

Police said they eventually spoke with Livingston on Feb. 10.

“Livingston stated, ‘I was just being an (expletive) and it ‘wasn’t nothing,’” said the investigating officer in the affidavit.

Police said they consulted the Butler County District Attorney’s office before filing charges.

“Livingston did not ask for the alleged violations to be corrected and did not ask for anything to benefit the workplace or his colleagues,” police said.