Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is currently on trial in federal court, facing extortion charges that stem from allegations he used his elected office to pressure a cannabis company executive into selling him company stock. The trial, which began Monday at the John J. Moakley Federal Courthouse in Boston, carries significant implications for Chelsea residents as part of the broader Suffolk County community.

Tompkins has served as Suffolk County Sheriff since 2013 and is currently in the middle of a six-year term scheduled to conclude in 2028. He is now on leave from his position, with Assistant Superintendent Mark Lawhorne serving as special sheriff during the proceedings.

The federal government alleges that Tompkins leveraged a key partnership between his office and a Boston cannabis company seeking licensure in 2019. According to federal prosecutors, he used that position to pressure an executive into selling him stock before the company went public. The indictment claims Tompkins acquired equity interest that eventually grew to $138,403, and when stock prices later dropped below his purchase price, he allegedly forced the executive to refund his initial investment completely.

The company was Ascend Wellness Holdings, whose Massachusetts subsidiary, Ascend Mass, was seeking approval to operate a Boston dispensary. The alleged victim is Frank Perullo, a longtime Boston political consultant who entered the marijuana business. The indictment outlines a pattern where Tompkins allegedly exploited his official capacity for personal financial gain.

Tompkins faces two counts of extortion, with maximum penalties of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine for each count if convicted. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

His defense attorney, Martin Weinberg, maintains Tompkins' innocence and has expressed confidence that his client will be cleared. Following Tompkins' arraignment in August 2025, Weinberg stated, "He's not only presumed innocent, but the history of the past decades of the criminal justice system have demonstrated that, in fact, some people who are innocent get charged. Mistakes are made; it's our job to make sure that that mistake doesn't burden Steve Tompkins's life any further."

The trial is being presided over by Judge Myong J. Joun and is scheduled to continue through September 4, 2026. Jury selection began Monday morning and continued into Tuesday.

This is not the first time Tompkins has faced ethics scrutiny. He previously paid civil penalties for using his official position in 2015 to have a political opponent's campaign signs removed, and in 2023 for creating a paid position in his office so his niece could assist with child care, which violated personal conflict of interest laws.

Following the indictment in August 2025, Tompkins resigned from the Roxbury Community College Board of Trustees and announced he would step away from his sheriff duties. He was released on his own recognizance pending trial.

For Chelsea residents, the trial represents more than a distant political scandal. As part of Suffolk County, Chelsea falls under the jurisdiction of the sheriff's office, making the outcome of this case directly relevant to local governance and public trust in county leadership. The allegations raise questions about the integrity of county officials and the safeguards in place to prevent abuse of power.

Editor's Note: All charges are allegations. Steven Tompkins is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

The trial continues at the federal courthouse in Boston, with proceedings open to public observation.