Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins of Suffolk County has been indicted on two counts of extortion under color of official right, related to the purchase of an equity interest in a Boston-based cannabis company. Tompkins, 67, was taken into custody in the Southern District of Florida and is scheduled for an initial appearance before appearing later in federal court in Boston.
According to prosecutors, Tompkins allegedly used his position as sheriff to pressure an executive from a cannabis company, referred to as Company A, for stock. The indictment claims that Tompkins reminded the executive that he had assisted the company with its licensing efforts in Boston and implied that failing to meet his demands could jeopardize their partnership and licensing status.
“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 was subsequently elected during a special election in 2014 and then reelected for additional six-year terms. As sheriff, he oversees around 1,000 employees managing correctional facilities including Boston's House of Correction and Nashua Street Jail.
Court documents indicate that Company A partnered with the Suffolk County Sheriff's Department (SCSD) beginning in 2019 as part of its application process with Massachusetts regulators for opening a retail dispensary. This partnership helped Company A fulfill requirements set by state authorities through programs such as Positive Impact Plans aimed at hiring graduates from re-entry programs.
After receiving approval from state regulators in March 2021—and subsequent renewals—Company A moved toward launching an IPO by raising capital primarily from institutional or high net-worth investors rather than individuals from the general public.
It is alleged that after signing an updated partnership letter requested by Company A for license renewal purposes in October 2020—and following continued pressure—Tompkins secured pre-IPO shares valued at $50,000 from Individual A at favorable rates before stock values rose significantly during Company A's IPO launch.
Despite later declines in share value during May 2022 that left Tompkins's investment worth less than its original amount, prosecutors say he demanded full repayment—which Individual A provided through five checks issued between May 2022 and July 2023 with memos intended to disguise payment reasons.
Each count carries potential penalties including up to 20 years imprisonment along with supervised release periods and fines determined by federal guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced these charges alongside support from IRS investigators; prosecution will be led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys John Mulcahy and Dustin Chao.
Authorities emphasized that all allegations remain unproven until tested in court proceedings where Tompkins retains presumption of innocence.
