Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, 67, has agreed to step away from his duties while facing federal charges alleging extortion of a cannabis executive. Tompkins was arrested in Florida and charged with two counts of extortion under color of official right. Special Sheriff Mark Lawhorne will fill the role during Tompkins’s absence. Governor Maura Healey emphasized the full-time demands of the sheriff’s responsibilities and the need for public trust in the criminal justice system. Tompkins pleaded not guilty, and his attorney, Martin G. Weinberg, expressed confidence that Tompkins will be acquitted. Federal prosecutors allege Tompkins leveraged a partnership to extort $50,000.
The Suffolk County Sheriff is responsible for managing more than a thousand employees, hundreds of inmates and programs that are essential to public safety and rehabilitation. It is a full-time job that demands full time attention. The people of Massachusetts need to be able to trust in the integrity of the criminal justice system and that their elected officials are fully engaged in the work of serving the public.
The facts simply will demonstrate that he was charged with a crime he did not commit. We have a great criminal justice system, but errors are made. Not every person charged with a crime is guilty; not every person charged with a crime is convicted.
Collection
[
|
...
]