Really, is this bribery or extortion, technically speaking?

Latest in the saga of the most politically corrupt Justice Department in American history is in the NY Times.

Let's see: One of the U.S. Attorneys John Ashcroft got appointed in New Jersey has instituted a "deferred prosecution" program for corporate thieves and lawbreakers. The USA agrees not to prosecute if and only if the corporations agree to pay restitution amounts -- and agree (at the USA's specific insistence) to pay to have their payment process "supervised" by John Ashcroft's firm at the rate of $895 per hour. The latest deal guarantees a minimum of $28 MILLION to the Ashcroft firm.

I am trying to figure some theory under which this is not either bribery or extortion, but damned if I can. Restitution agreements are one thing, but, "If you agree to hire my friend for a lot of money, I will agree not to file criminal charges," seems a bit cheeky even for the Bushies.

This is the same Justice Department that is prosecuting the Democratic coronor in Pittsburg for using his office fax to send some private messages.

Of course, NJ's non-corporate miscreants who cannot afford to have a $895/hr babysitter still do hard time.