by A high-profile Massachusetts sheriff is facing federal charges after authorities say he extorted a national cannabis company for $50,000 worth of stock before the firm went public.
Allegations Against Sheriff Steven Tompkins
Steven Tompkins, sheriff of Suffolk County — which includes Boston, Chelsea, and Revere — was arrested in Florida on Friday by the FBI.
According to the indictment, Tompkins allegedly threatened to end his office’s partnership with the cannabis company unless it agreed to sell him stock. He is also accused of later demanding repayment after the value of his shares dropped below his original investment.
Federal prosecutors charged Tompkins with two counts of extortion under color of official right, each carrying a maximum 20-year prison sentence.
Federal Prosecutors Call It “Self-Serving”
“Elected officials, particularly those in law enforcement, are expected to be ethical, honest and law-abiding — not self-serving,”
— U.S. Attorney Leah Foley
FBI Special Agent Ted Docks was even more direct:
“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.”
Past Controversies in Office
Tompkins, who has served as sheriff since 2013, oversees Massachusetts’ largest county correctional system.
His tenure has not been without controversy:
- In 2023, he paid a $12,000 fine for creating a no-bid job for his niece and asking subordinates to run personal errands.
- He paid another $2,500 fine for pressuring business owners to remove political opponent signs from their windows.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said the charges are serious:
“Every one of us in elected office is held to a high standard, and whenever there are law enforcement officials that there’s anything coming into question with the law, it is a very serious allegation.”
Cannabis Industry Under Scrutiny
The case also casts a shadow on Massachusetts’ legal marijuana industry, which has been under increased oversight since legalization in 2016. In 2017, the state created a Cannabis Control Commission after a string of scandals, including the ouster of its top commissioner over bullying and racially inappropriate comments.
According to The Guardian, the indictment does not name the company, but media outlets have identified it as Ascend Mass, part of multi-state retailer Ascend Cannabis. Tompkins’ close friend, Andrea Cabral, is a former leader of Ascend Mass.
Read Also: Queens Man Killed by Stray Bullet in Puerto Rico After Attending Bad Bunny Concert
The Alleged Scheme
Court filings allege that Tompkins told an Ascend representative he “wanted to get in on the stock so [he] could make some cannabis money.” Initially rebuffed, he allegedly kept pressuring company officials, suggesting their license renewal depended on his cooperation.
Eventually, the company sold him 28,000 shares for $50,000. After Ascend went public in 2021, the value of those shares soared to $138,403, but later dropped below his initial investment. Prosecutors say Tompkins then demanded a refund to fund “his campaign and personal expenses.”
What’s Next
The indictment marks the latest in a string of corruption cases involving public officials and the cannabis industry. With the trial ahead, Tompkins could face decades in prison if convicted.
Do you think elected officials in law enforcement should face harsher penalties for corruption? Share your thoughts in the comments and read more stories at ibwhsmag.com.
