Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins of Suffolk County was indicted by a federal grand jury on two counts of extortion under color of official right, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. Tompkins, 67, was taken into custody in the Southern District of Florida and is scheduled to make his initial appearance before appearing in federal court in Boston.
“Mr. Tompkins is a sitting Sheriff, responsible for over 1,000 employees, who was elected by the good people of Suffolk County. Today, he is alleged to have extorted an executive from a cannabis company, using his official position as Sheriff to benefit himself. Elected officials, particularly those in law enforcement, are expected to be ethical, honest and law abiding – not self-serving. His alleged actions are an affront to the voters and taxpayers who elected him to his position, and the many dedicated and honest public servants at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The people of Suffolk County deserve better,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. “Public corruption remains a top priority for my administration and we will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who uses their position of trust and power for their own gain.”
“From his very first day as Suffolk County Sheriff, Steven Tompkins sought to portray himself as a man of the people – a principled public servant and reformer, devoted to the cause of justice. That’s why it’s beyond disappointing that he’s now accused of gaming a system instituted in the interests of public safety and fair play. The FBI took Sheriff Tompkins into custody today for allegedly extorting $50,000 from the owner of a national cannabis retailer seeking to do business in Boston. We believe what the Sheriff saw as an easy way to make a quick buck on the sly is clear cut corruption under federal law,” said Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division. “The citizens of Suffolk County deserve better, not a man who is accused of trading on his position to bankroll his own political and financial future. Public servants must be held to the highest of ethical standards, and those falling short will be rooted out.”
Tompkins has served as sheriff since being appointed in 2013; he won election during a special contest around 2014 followed by subsequent six-year terms overseeing about 1,000 correctional officers and staff at facilities including Boston’s House of Correction and Nashua Street Jail.
According to court records cited by prosecutors, Company A—a cannabis business—sought licensing through Massachusetts authorities beginning in 2019 with help from SCSD’s re-entry program partnership led by Tompkins. This collaboration was documented via letter signed by Tompkins supporting Company A’s dispensary license application with state regulators.
After receiving its initial license approval from state officials in March 2021—and renewals thereafter—Company A pursued an initial public offering (IPO) with investments primarily targeted toward large institutions or high-net-worth individuals rather than smaller investors.
Prosecutors allege that during this period Tompkins pressured an executive identified as Individual A for pre-IPO shares while referencing support provided through SCSD’s involvement with Company A’s licensing process. In October 2020 Company A requested updated documentation needed for license renewal; within weeks after providing this letter—and following what authorities describe as increased pressure—Tompkins obtained stock at favorable pre-IPO pricing.
Court filings state that Tompkins wired $50,000 from retirement funds for roughly 28,883 shares valued initially at $1.73 each; after corporate restructuring this represented approximately 14,417 shares valued at $3.46 per share post-split when Company A launched its IPO mid-2021 at about $9.60 per share value.
By May 2022 however Company A stock had declined below original investment levels prompting Tompkins—according to allegations—to demand full repayment which Individual A agreed upon despite decreased share value; repayment occurred over five checks between May 2022-July 2023 labeled variously such as “loan repayment” or “[company] expense.”
If convicted on either count Tompkins could face up to twenty years imprisonment plus supervised release periods along with substantial fines determined under federal guidelines.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorneys John Mulcahy and Dustin Chao from the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit with investigative support also credited from IRS personnel.
Authorities emphasized that all charges remain allegations unless proven beyond reasonable doubt.
