Suffolk Region Constable Steven Tompkins was jailed Thursday on government extortion fees, according to the united state Lawyer’s Workplace for the Area of Massachusetts.
Federal district attorneys affirm the 67-year-old Massachusetts constable had actually pushed a marijuana business exec for a secret financial investment offer worth $50,000.
Tompkins, that had actually led the Suffolk Region Constable’s Division because 2013 and manage regarding 1,000 workers, was jailed in Florida and billed with 2 matters of extortion, the united state lawyer’s workplace claimed.
According to government court files, Tompkins had actually utilized his placement as constable to compel his method right into purchasing pre-IPO (going public) supply in a Boston marijuana business at an affordable cost. When the financial investment later on declined, district attorneys affirmed he required and got a complete reimbursement of his cash.
Constable Steven W. Tompkins, 67, was arraigned on 2 matters of extortion under shade of main right.
Suffolk Region Constable’s Division – Boston, MA
The system began in 2019 when the marijuana business, which had not been called in court files, wished to open up a shop in Boston, the charge specified. The business required Constable Tompkins’ aid, according to the charge, as his division would certainly refer previous prisoners to operate at the shop, which was called for by the Massachusetts Marijuana Control Payment for their state certificate.
Government detectives claimed Tompkins purportedly made the most of this collaboration. According to the charge, he pushed a business exec, advising them that he had actually assisted with their certificate application. The exec was afraid Tompkins would certainly finish their collaboration if they really did not succumb to his needs for supply, district attorneys claimed.
After obtaining the shares in November 2020, court files revealed Tompkins originally saw his $50,000 financial investment expand to regarding $138,000 when the business went public.
Constable Steven W. Tompkins, 67, was arraigned on 2 matters of extortion under shade of main right.
USA Lawyer’s Workplace – Area of Massachussetts
Nevertheless, when the supply cost later on dropped, district attorneys affirmed Tompkins required his cash back. The exec paid him via 5 different checks, with some classified as “funding payment” to conceal what the settlements were actually for, according to the charge.
The exec consented to the needs for payment, being afraid Tompkins would certainly utilize his placement to hurt their company procedures, according to the charge.
” What the Constable viewed as a simple method to make a fast dollar on the scheming is apparent corruption under government regulation,” FBI Boston Department Unique Representative accountable Ted E. Docks claimed in a declaration.
If condemned, Tompkins can confront two decades behind bars, 3 years of monitored launch, and a $250,000 penalty, according to the united state lawyer’s workplace.
United State Lawyer Leah B. Foley claimed in a declaration that the instance revealed her workplace’s dedication to combating public corruption.
” Chosen authorities, especially those in police, are anticipated to be honest, straightforward and regulation following– not egocentric,” Foley said in the press release.
According to government authorities, Tompkins will certainly initially show up in court in Florida prior to encountering the fees in Boston at a later day.
ABC Information connected to Tompkins’ lawyer that did not promptly react for remark.
The Suffolk Region Constable’s Division decreased to comment when spoken to.
