Boston’s sanctuary sheriff was arrested Friday on federal charges after allegedly leveraging his elected position to extort $50,000 from a cannabis executive who was seeking state approval to open a dispensary—a scheme FBI Director Kash Patel called a betrayal of public trust.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins, 67, who oversees more than 1,000 employees in the Boston-area, was handcuffed Friday morning in the Southern District of Florida after a federal grand jury indicted him on two counts of extortion under color of official right, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

«When someone entrusted with enforcing the law is accused of breaking it for personal gain, it undermines the public’s trust in every honest officer who wears the badge,» Patel told Fox News Digital. «The FBI will pursue corruption at every level, because no one is above the law. The people of Suffolk County, and the country, deserve leaders who serve them, not themselves.»

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Tompkins was appointed sheriff of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department (SCSD) in 2013, elected in a 2014 special election, and later re-elected to serve successive six-year terms. 

He made headlines in 2019 after booting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents out of the county jail, signing an eviction notice that required hundreds of illegal immigrant detainees to be moved out within 60 days, according to a report from the Boston Herald.

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According to court documents, a cannabis company applied in 2019 for a retail dispensary license in Boston through the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). To meet the state’s Positive Impact Plan (PIP) requirement, the company partnered with the sheriff’s department, which agreed to screen and refer graduates from its re-entry program for work at the dispensary’s retail store.

The company’s partnership with SCSD was formalized in a letter signed by Tompkins in 2019 and submitted with its dispensary license application in 2020. The cannabis commission approved the license in 2021 and renewed it in 2022 and 2023, with the company citing the partnership to meet the PIP requirement in each application.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is accused of pressuring an executive into selling him stocks and then demanding a refund. (John Wilcox/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

To raise capital for an initial public offering (IPO) and expand as a publicly traded company, executives sought multimillion-dollar investments from institutions and other high-net-worth investors—not the general public, according to court documents. 

By mid-2020, the company was preparing for its IPO by producing audited financial statements, hiring attorneys and obtaining additional financing.

Prosecutors allege Tompkins pressured the cannabis executive for stock, reminding the executive he had helped the company in its licensing efforts. The executive feared Tompkins might exploit his position as sheriff to undermine the partnership with the department, putting both the license and the company’s planned IPO in jeopardy.

PATEL’S IMMIGRATION PUSH AT FBI YIELDS 10,000 ARRESTS SINCE JANUARY

In October 2020, the company asked Tompkins for an updated partnership letter to submit with its license renewal application, according to court documents. Within a month of signing the letter, and after alleged pressure on the executive, Tompkins obtained a pre-IPO stake in the company.

Prosecutors claim that in November 2020, Tompkins wired $50,000 from his retirement account to an account controlled by the executive, purchasing nearly 29,000 shares at $1.73 each. Following a reverse stock split, he held about 14,400 shares valued at $3.46 each.

Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins is facing up to 20 years in prison for each count of extortion. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Once the company launched its IPO in 2021, the stock value jumped to $9.60 per share, increasing the value of Tompkins’ $50,000 purchase of 14,417 shares to $138,403.

By May 2022, the value of Tompkins’ stock had dropped thousands of dollars below his $50,000 investment, but he allegedly demanded a full refund. The executive agreed, issuing five checks between May 2022 and July 2023.

Prosecutors claim some checks were marked as «loan repayment» and «[company] expense» at Tompkins’s direction to disguise the nature of some of the payments.

Copies of checks showed payments allegedly made to the Suffolk County sheriff.

US ATTORNEY FOR MASSACHUSETTS SAYS INTERFERENCE WITH ICE OPERATIONS IS ‘DISTURBING,’ THREATENS ARRESTS

U.S. Attorney Leah Foley wrote in a statement that elected officials, particularly those in law enforcement, are expected to be ethical, honest and law-abiding, «not self-serving.» 

«His alleged actions are an affront to the voters and taxpayers who elected him to his position, and the many dedicated and honest public servants at the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department. The people of Suffolk County deserve better,» Foley wrote. «Public corruption remains a top priority for my administration, and we will continue to investigate and prosecute anyone who uses their position of trust and power for their own gain.»

FBI Boston special agent in charge Ted Docks added the act was «clear-cut corruption.»

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«From his very first day as Suffolk County Sheriff, Steven Tompkins sought to portray himself as a man of the people–a principled public servant and reformer, devoted to the cause of justice. That’s why it’s beyond disappointing that he’s now accused of gaming a system instituted in the interests of public safety and fair play,» Docks wrote in a statement. «We believe what the Sheriff saw as an easy way to make a quick buck on the sly is clear-cut corruption under federal law. The citizens of Suffolk County deserve better, not a man who is accused of trading on his position to bankroll his own political and financial future. Public servants must be held to the highest of ethical standards, and those falling short will be rooted out.»

Tompkins, who faces a sentence of up to 20 years in prison for each count, will appear in Boston federal court at a later date.

El león, cuyo nombre científico es Panthera leo, fue durante miles de años uno de los animales más abundantes y conocidos de África y de partes de Asia. En el pasado, estos grandes felinos vivieron en regiones muy extensas, pero hoy su espacio natural fue reducido dramáticamente.

Hoy es el Día Mundial del León, una efeméride que está dedicada a concientizar y apoyar la conservación de una de las especies más emblemáticas del mundo.

El número de leones salvajes disminuyó en más del 33% en las últimas dos décadas, y un nuevo estudio al que tuvo acceso Infobae reveló que en la actualidad se enfrentan a peligros que ponen en riesgo su existencia en muchas regiones.

“La especie sufrió descensos dramáticos tanto en el tamaño de su población como en su distribución durante las últimas décadas”, advirtieron los científicos de Sudáfrica, Reino Unido y Bélgica, que publicaron la investigación en la revista Global Ecology and Conservation.

La situación es delicada porque la mayoría de los grupos son pequeños y están alejados unos de otros. Si la situación no cambia, los leones podrían desaparecer de varios lugares y su futuro está en peligro.

Los autores pertenecen a la Universidad de Oxford en el Reino Unido, la organización Conservation Science Unit y a la Universidad de Kwazulu-Natal, en Sudáfrica y la Universidad de Amberes en Bélgica, entre otras instituciones.

En diálogo con Infobae, Claudio Bertonatti, naturalista y museólogo, doctor Honoris Causa por la Universidad Maimónides en Buenos Aires y miembro de la Fundación de Historia Natural Félix de Ázara, comentó tras leer el estudio: “El león es un animal que tiene una relación con los seres humanos desde la Antigüedad».

Se trata de “un ser biocultural, que se destacó por representar la nobleza y la fuerza en África. Con el paso del tiempo, las tribus lo mataban pero también lo veneraban. En Europa, con el circo romano se utilizaron leones de Asia, y más tarde, cuando los diezmaron, se cazaban en el norte de África”, precisó.

“Los problemas en cuanto a la conservación se agravaron en el último siglo con las capturas y el tráfico de los animales para espectáculos y falsos zoológicos en otras regiones del mundo”, recordó.

El león africano es uno de los felinos más grandes que existen. Un macho puede pesar hasta 190 kilos y una hembra hasta 130 kilos. Los machos tienen melena, un pelo largo y llamativo alrededor de la cabeza y el cuello.

Viven en manadas, donde cada individuo tiene un rol: las hembras cazan en grupo y los machos suelen proteger el territorio.

Como depredadores tope, los leones ocupan el lugar más alto de la cadena alimentaria. Cazan animales como cebras, antílopes y búfalos, y casi siempre cazan juntos. Esta forma de vida social les permite conseguir presas grandes y protegerse mejor de los peligros.

Los investigadores que hicieron el nuevo estudio quisieron saber cuántos leones quedan y cuáles son los problemas que enfrentan para poder cuidarlos mejor en el futuro.

Para averiguar la situación, los científicos reunieron información de relatos hechos por guardaparques, mapas de reservas, investigaciones anteriores y datos de collares con GPS.

También analizaron informes sobre zonas de leones, ataques a ganado, caza y cuánto espacio tienen los leones para vivir.

Compararon mapas antiguos y actuales, lo que permite identificar dónde los leones desaparecieron y dónde aún viven. El informe lo dejó claro: “Los leones siguen en menos de una cuarta parte de su área original”. Esto significa que perdieron mucho espacio natural.

Hoy la mayoría de los grupos de leones actuales son pequeños y están separados entre sí. Esto es un problema porque la empobrecida diversidad genética los hace más vulnerables y propensos a enfermarse y a que nazcan menos crías sanas.

La mayor amenaza encontrada es la pérdida de hábitat, o sea, la disminución de los lugares naturales donde pueden vivir los leones a causa del crecimiento de la población humana y las tensiones con la agricultura y la ganadería.

Cuando las presas naturales escasean, los leones a veces cazan ganado de la gente y esto crea conflictos. Otro gran peligro son la caza ilegal y el tráfico comercial de sus partes.

Los científicos también estudiaron cómo las enfermedades y la baja diversidad genética, que pasa cuando hay pocos leones en una zona, afectan a los grupos. Observaron que en los parques bien vigilados, los leones viven mejor y pueden crecer en número.

Para los expertos, no basta con cuidar solo una zona. Se necesita que gobiernos, organizaciones de conservación y la población que vive cerca trabajen juntos para proteger de verdad a los leones africanos.

El análisis muestra que la mayoría de los leones vive en áreas protegidas y que, fuera de estos lugares, están en grave peligro de extinción.

“La mayoría de las subpoblaciones siguen siendo vulnerables debido a su pequeño tamaño, aislamiento o amenazas persistentes”, mencionaron.

Los investigadores identificaron acciones que pueden beneficiar a la conservación de los ejemplares.

Cuando los parques nacionales están bien dirigidos y tienen buena vigilancia, los leones sobreviven y se reproducen mejor.

El control continuo, con herramientas como collares GPS, ayuda a saber dónde están y qué problemas pueden tener.

La investigación destaca la importancia de que muchos países trabajen juntos. El esfuerzo mundial y local da esperanza para que las poblaciones de leones logren recuperarse.

Pero alertaron que la fragmentación de los hábitats y el aislamiento de los grupos de leones bajan la diversidad genética y pueden causar más enfermedades o problemas de salud.

La caza furtiva, el comercio ilegal y los conflictos con personas explican en gran parte la disminución del león africano. Para cambiar esto, se necesitan leyes claras, control fuerte y apoyo de la comunidad.

Una recomendación más es crear corredores ecológicos: zonas que unen parques y reservas para que los leones se puedan mover y encontrar con otros grupos.

Los científicos piden más vigilancia y penalidades más duras para quienes cazan o venden partes de los animales.

El uso de collares GPS es otra ayuda importante. Permite saber dónde están los leones y actuar rápido si pasa algo.

El león se encuentra clasificado como vulnerable en la Lista Roja de Especies Amenazadas de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (UICN).

“Ya se advirtió en la evaluación de 2023 que sus poblaciones están disminuyendo a nivel global. Sería importante que las acciones basadas en evidencia científica se lleven a cabo de manera urgente”, opinó Bertonatti.

Subrayó: “Sería un triste fracaso para la humanidad que se pierda una de las especies más emblemáticas de nuestro mundo. ¿Cómo se lo explicaríamos a los niños del futuro?«

EXCLUSIVE – Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan says President Donald Trump’s social media attacks criticizing his move from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party validates his major switch in political affiliations.

«Failed former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, of Georgia, is a total loser,» Trump wrote early Friday on his Truth Social platform.

The president charged that Duncan was «never able to get anything done, all he ever did was complain. We didn’t want him in the Republican Party any longer, so I’m told he became a Democrat. Good riddance Geoff. You don’t even have a chance!!!»

Asked about the criticisms, Duncan told Fox News Digital in an exclusive national interview hours later, «I think he’s making my case for me that the Republican Party no longer wants to love their neighbor. There’s nothing in that tweet or Truth Social post or whatever that shows any sort of attitude that I want to be a part of.»

FORMER LT. GOV. GEOFF DUNCAN ABANDONS GOP TO JOIN DEMOCRATIC PARTY

«So I wish him the best of luck. I hope he figures out how to run this country better than he is now for the next couple of years. But I’m proud to not be a Republican, especially with him at the tip of the spear,» Duncan highlighted.

In announcing his decision, Duncan cited several policy issues that played a part in his decision to change parties, including health care, Medicaid, gun safety, immigration and poverty.

He wrote that his time in office taught him the best way to «love my neighbor» is through public policy. 

Duncan told Fox News, «I find it easier to love my neighbor as a Democrat It’s not a perfect landing spot, but it gives me a better opportunity each day when I wake up to love my neighbor.»

GEORGIA GOP EXPELS FORMER LT. GOV. GEOFF DUNCAN FROM PARTY, CITING ALLEGED DISLOYALTY

Duncan, a former health care executive and minor league baseball player, served in Georgia’s legislature for four years before running and winning election as lieutenant governor in 2018. He decided against seeking re-election in 2022.

After leaving office, Duncan – who was a vocal GOP critic of Trump’s repeated efforts to reverse his razor-thin November 2020 election defeat in battleground Georgia to former President Joe Biden – worked towards what he said was «healing and rebuilding a Republican Party that is damaged but not destroyed.»

Then-Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan gives an address at the New Hampshire Institute of Politics on Oct. 20, 2021, in Manchester, New Hampshire. (Paul Steinhauser – Fox News )

Duncan endorsed Biden in the 2024 presidential race and later supported Vice President Kamala Harris after she replaced Biden at the top of the Democrats’ 2024 ticket. Duncan spoke in a high-profile speech at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago last August.

The Georgia Republican Party expelled him from the GOP earlier this year.

«Neither party is hitting it out of the park. You don’t have to look any further than the stats to see that Republicans have their issues. Democrats certainly have their issues,» Duncan told Fox News. «I’ve tried this reform thing before on the Republican side, and Donald Trump has sucked the life and future out of the Republican Party, in my opinion.»

Duncan’s old boss, Republican Gov. Brian Kemp of Georgia, is term-limited and cannot seek re-election next year. Duncan confirmed to Fox News that he’s considering a 2026 run for governor.

«My family and I are certainly not ready to make that big of a decision right here, right now. But it is something that we’re considering for sure. I mean, my phone has continued to ring for months on end, from Democrats, independents and even some folks on the right that want us to consider this,» Duncan said.

Asked about his timetable, Duncan said «2026 is coming like a freight train. And certainly, if this is a decision that we go forward with, it’ll have to be within, within a few months.»

Duncan emphasized that «if Democrats, especially in Georgia, want to be successful, they’re going to have to live in the middle and not the fringes. They’re going to have to have a moderate slate of candidates that are able to use common sense to provide their leadership. And I think there’s a gravitational pull in that direction.»

Nearly half-a-dozen Democrats in Georgia have already launched gubernatorial campaigns, including former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who later worked in the Biden administration.

Pointing to the two leading Republicans running for governor, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and state Attorney General Chris Carr, Duncan said «I hope we’re able to sit back and find a Democratic candidate that can win the governorship and not allow a governor Trump to show up for four years in the state, because that’s exactly what’s going to happen.»

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«The Republican slate is going to be dominated by whoever Donald Trump endorses, and that person is going to be a sock puppet for Donald Trump,» Duncan argued. «And no Georgian wants that. No Georgian wants the inconsistencies of Donald Trump to manage how their kids are educated, how their streets are kept safe and how government interacts with those that need it the most.»

Looking ahead to next year’s elections, when Georgia will once again be in the national spotlight, Duncan said «Georgia is going to continue to be the political center of the universe, as we watch the Senate race shape up. As we watch this governor’s race shape up. I do think Georgia has an opportunity to lead the rest of the country, and I hope we take advantage of that.»

Fox News’ Landon Mion contributed to this report.