CANCUN, Mexico – Several traffic police in this Mexican resort city are under investigation for demanding a bribe from a U.S. tourist who turned out to be a Minnesota state legislator, a local official said.

Municipal controller Jorge Rodriguez Carrillo told reporters the extortion complaint was filed by Sen. Michelle Fischbach.

“The traffic police stopped her in the tourist zone and, alleging a violation, they demanded between $200 and $300 from her to let her go without imposing a fine,” Rodriguez said.

He said the incident occurred a few weeks ago.

Rodriguez said a total of five Cancun traffic cops are under investigation for trying to extort bribes tourists, but did not specify how many officers are involved in the Fischbach case.

In Mexico, the practice of cops’ soliciting bribes to overlook traffic infractions is so widespread that it has a name: “la mordida” (the bite). EFE