Hines Ward was the target in a diabolical extortion plot ... so say police who arrested a man for allegedly threatening to release evidence that Ward paid women for sex.

Cops in Pennsylvania arrested 26-year-old Josh Van Auker yesterday ... after he allegedly demanded $15,000 from the former Pittsburgh Steelers superstar in exchange for materials that he claims would prove Hines patronized prostitutes.



Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2012/10/19/hines-...#ixzz29laevEmn