Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins acquitted of extortion charges
A federal jury cleared Sheriff Steve Tompkins of two extortion counts related to a cannabis investment.
2 reports on this incident · first at Sep 3, 2026, 2:57 p.m. ET
A federal jury has acquitted Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, who had been charged with two counts of extortion over a cannabis investment, according to WBUR.
Prosecutors had alleged that Tompkins pressured his longtime friend, cannabis executive Frank Perullo, to sell him $50,000 of stock before Perullo’s company, Ascend Wellness Holdings, went public, and that when the stock value plummeted, Tompkins used his position of power to get his money back.
The case was heard in district court and has been resolved with an acquittal.
Earlier reports
Sep 3, 2026, 2:57 p.m. ETFirst report
Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins acquitted of extortion charges
A federal jury has acquitted Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, who had been charged with two counts of extortion in connection with a cannabis investment, according to WBUR.
Prosecutors had alleged that Tompkins pressured his longtime friend, cannabis executive Frank Perullo, to sell him $50,000 of stock before Perullo’s company, Ascend Wellness Holdings, went public. When the stock value plummeted, prosecutors said Tompkins used his position of power to get his money back.
The case was a criminal matter in district court. The jury's verdict was reported on September 2, 2026.
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Revision history
- Version 13 Sept 2026, 19:02current
First published.
- Version 13 Sept 2026, 18:57current
First published.
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