Sheriff Tompkins plans to plead not guilty to federal extortion charges

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins will plead not guilty to two counts of extortion when he appears in Boston federal court Thursday, according to his lawyer.

"Sheriff Tompkins strongly and unconditionally denies the federal charges," defense attorney Martin Weinberg said in a statement to WBUR. "He fully intends to mount a vigorous and effective defense to the existing accusation."

Prosecutors allege that Tompkins, 67, used his official position to threaten a cannabis executive into returning $50,000 the sheriff had invested in initial shares of the company.

According to the indictment, the company entered into a hiring “partnership” with the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department, as part of its licensing effort with the Cannabis Control Commission.

Tompkins allegedly threatened to pull the partnership if he wasn't sold $50,000 worth of pre-IPO stock. When the shares crashed, Tompkins demanded his investment returned in full.

The indictment has not named the executive that Tompkins allegedly extorted. Public financial records show Tompkins owned a stake in an investment company controlled by Frank Perullo, one of the co-founders of Ascend Wellness Holdings and a longtime Massachusetts political lobbyist.

Prominent Massachusetts Democrats have been hesitant to call for Tompkins' resignation. Tompkins resigned as chair of the board of Roxbury Community College last week.

In Weinberg, Tompkins has one of the state's best-known and well-respected advocates making his case. The prominent federal criminal defense attorney was part of the legal team on the high-profile Karen Read murder case.

Tompkins is set to appear for his arraignment at the Moakley courthouse at 2:30 p.m. Thursday.