Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins was arrested today in Florida and will face federal charges related to an alleged extortion scheme involving a cannabis company in which he was an investor.
Tompkins, 67, was taken into custody this morning in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, according to a statement from the US Attorney’s office in Boston, which also released a copy of an 11-page indictment charging him with the alleged crime. The two-count charge for “Extortion Under Color of Official Right” comes after a grand jury probe, the US Attorney’s office said.
Tompkins has served as the sheriff since his appointment to fill a vacancy in 2013.
In a statement, US Attorney Leah B. Foley said Tompkins “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.”
The allegation is that Tompkins— who was an investor in the unnamed company— received $50,000 from the owner of a the “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, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Boston office.
