A federal district court judge heard opening statements on Tuesday in the criminal trial of Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins.
Tompkins faces two counts of extortion stemming from his dealings with one-time political operative turned marijuana entrepreneur Frank Perullo, according to court filings.
Federal prosecutors allege that Tompkins extorted Perullo by securing a $50,000 pre-IPO investment in Perullo’s company, Ascend Wellness Holdings. They say that Tompkins suggested that, unless he could make the investment, his department would end a valuable community partnership with Ascend.
After Ascend Wellness Holdings went public, the value of its stock decreased. Prosecutors alleged that Tompkins wanted out, and asked Perillo for his $50,000 back.
Prosecutors also argued that Tompkins pressured Perullo to later sell his shares in a text message that read: “I helped get you Friend Street.” The message was referring to Tompkins’ unspecified efforts to help Perullo secure the location for Ascend Cannabis Dispensary in Boston.
While Perillo was initially against refunding the investment, Tompkins ultimately received the full amount as Perullo allegedly believed his company’s partnership with the sheriff’s office would be threatened if he didn’t.
Martin Weinberg, one of Tompkins’ attorneys, told the judge that the prosecutor’s argument was an “accusation, not evidence.”
Weinberg argued that the investments involving Ascend stock were legitimate dealings and that Perullo never had any reasonable fear of economic harm.
He said after Perullo returned the first check to Tompkins in September 2022, Perullo urged people to reelect him as sheriff in that year’s election.
“Friends or extortion victims don’t urge people to vote for someone who did something wrong to them,” he said.
Weinberg also said Tompkins never asked Perullo to sell his shares and that Ascend’s licensure was “never in peril” because there was never any threat on Tompkins’ end.
Perullo was also the “Ascend decisionmaker” and was the only one that had control of the shares, Weinberg said.
Weinberg added that Tompkins couldn’t profit from the investment because Perullo “had all of the cards.”
Federal prosecutors also began their questioning of Abner Kurtin, a co-founder of Ascend Wellness Holdings.
On the stand, Kurtin said he never heard about Tompkins threatening Perullo and had no information about the sheriff’s investments in Ascend.
Tompkins has led the sheriff’s department since 2013, after being appointed by then-Gov. Deval Patrick.
Before his arrest, the 67-year-old was considered well-connected and an influential voice in local politics. He had served as a spokesperson for his predecessor in that office, Andrea Cabral. He also served as a senior advisor to Elizabeth Warren during her first U.S. Senate campaign, and endorsed Michelle Wu in her first mayoral campaign in 2021.
After the case against him was announced, Tompkins said he would “step away” from his role as sheriff. An assistant superintendent, Mark Lawhorne, has been acting as sheriff in his absence.
The trial is expected to continue for two weeks. If found guilty, Tompkins faces up to 20 years in prison for each count of extortion.
