News Summary
Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins has been indicted on two counts of extortion for allegedly pressuring a cannabis executive for stock shares. Following his arrest in Florida, Tompkins secured a $200,000 bond. The allegations also raised concerns about financial transactions linked to the Sheriff’s Department. Tompkins has resigned from his position on the Roxbury Community College Board amidst increasing scrutiny, as questions about the legality of his actions continue to mount.
Boston, MA – Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins has been indicted on two counts of extortion following his arrest earlier this month in Florida. Tompkins is accused of extorting an executive from a Boston-based cannabis company, pressuring the executive to provide him with stock shares prior to the company’s initial public offering (IPO). He is scheduled to appear in federal court for arraignment next Wednesday at 2:15 p.m. in Boston.
As of Friday afternoon, no attorney was listed for Tompkins in federal court records. He was ordered to return to Massachusetts on a $200,000 bond after being released by a federal judge in Florida. There has been uncertainty regarding whether Tompkins reported to pretrial services at the federal courthouse in Boston.
Federal prosecutors allege that Tompkins leveraged his position as sheriff to pressure the cannabis executive for stocks, threatening potential harm to the company’s IPO and their partnership with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The executive reportedly feared that Tompkins would use his official role in a manner that could jeopardize their business relationship.
In 2020, Tompkins signed a partnership agreement with the unnamed cannabis company, which benefited from his assistance in licensing efforts in Boston. Prosecutors have stated that following the agreement, Tompkins acquired a pre-IPO interest in the company’s stock after meeting personal demands from the executive.
According to the allegations, Tompkins wired $50,000 from his retirement account to purchase stock at a pre-IPO price. After the value of the stock declined, Tompkins demanded a full refund of his investment. The executive complied despite the loss, issuing five checks to Tompkins totaling $50,000 from May 2022 to July 2023, with the memos on the checks obscuring the nature of the payments, as per the indictment.
In light of these developments, Tompkins has resigned from the Roxbury Community College Board of Trustees. His resignation follows increasing pressure from Republican leaders and was formally communicated in a letter to Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey. The vice chair of the board, Israul Marrero, will serve as acting chair until a permanent chair is appointed. Governor Healey acknowledged that Tompkins made the correct decision to resign, but she did not confirm if she had requested it.
The allegations against Tompkins have raised serious concerns regarding financial transactions related to the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. Reports have surfaced about questionable expenses made on the department’s procurement card, including charges from entertainment venues since 2024. These transactions included charges at establishments like TopGolf and Margaritaville, prompting scrutiny over the use of taxpayer dollars. It remains unclear whether these expenses violated specific laws, although the state’s comptroller allows for reimbursements for legitimate public purposes, excluding alcohol purchases.
Tompkins has served as sheriff since 2013, having been appointed by then-Governor Deval Patrick, and he has subsequently won re-election in subsequent years. The controversy surrounding his indictment has led to criticism directed at Governor Healey from GOP gubernatorial candidates, who have expressed disapproval over her lack of decisive action regarding Tompkins’ position. This situation has created further questions about the authority to remove an elected sheriff, as state law does not permit the governor to suspend such officials.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the implications of this indictment will likely continue to affect discussions surrounding oversight and accountability within law enforcement agencies in the state.
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Suffolk County Sheriff Indicted for Alleged Extortion
Suffolk County Sheriff Arrested on Extortion Charges
Suffolk County Sheriff Indicted on Extortion Charges
Additional Resources
- Boston Herald
- Wikipedia: Extortion
- Boston Globe
- Google Search: Steve Tompkins indictment
- Bay State Banner
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Extortion
- Boston Globe
- Google News: Steve Tompkins extortion
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
BOSTON STAFF WRITER The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
