As Republicans pile on, Mass. Gov. Healey says she needs to ‘know more’ about arrested Suffolk Co. sheriff
The federal extortion charges against Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins are "serious," but Gov. Maura Healey isn't calling for him to step down — yet.
"They're certainly serious, and no one in elected positions should ever use or abuse their power in an unlawful way," Healey told reporters after an unrelated event in Natick earlier this week, according to State House News Service. "I need to know more about this. I need to get more information."
Tompkins was arrested Friday in Florida and indicted by a federal grand jury on two extortion counts.
Prosecutors have charged that Tompkins used his position to pressure a Boston-based cannabis company executive into paying $50,000 in exchange for help doing business in the city. The U.S. Justice Department said the conduct involved the purchase of an equity interest in the company.
Healey's reticence is a contrast to comments she made in April when she swiftly called on state Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-1st Barnstable, to resign after his arrest on fraud charges.
"These are serious allegations against Rep. Flanagan that threaten to undermine the important work of the legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents," she said at the time. "He should resign."
Healey's recent comments on the Tompkins matter came as Republicans ratcheted up their criticism of Healey and fellow Democrat state Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell.
The two top leaders are "missing in action" on the matter, the pro-business Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance said in a Tuesday statement.
The advocacy group pointed to a report by The Boston Herald report which showed that Tompkins apparently charged $133,000 to a state-issued procurement card that underwrote trips to Las Vegas and the Bahamas, as well as flash meals and golf outings.
The organization called on U.S. Attorney Leah Foley to fully investigate the misuse of funds flagged by the Herald and to require Tompkins to reimburse taxpayers for all improper charges.
"This is not complicated. If a public official abuses taxpayer money, that money should be paid back in full. The Suffolk County Sheriff's office doesn't exist to bankroll trips to the Bahamas, nights at the Liberty Hotel, or steak dinners at Davio's," the group's spokesperson, Paul Diego Craney, said.
"These are luxuries most working families in Suffolk County could never dream of affording, and yet they're being charged to the public tab pretty consistently by his office," Craney continued.
On Tuesday, Healey said she was concerned about the improper spending, according to State House News Service.
"These are serious allegations, and to be clear, there is no room for anyone in elected office to abuse their position. Period, full stop," she said. "I've also said I'm continuing to get more information about this, and then I will comment once I have all the information," she said.
In a separate statement, Massachusetts Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale accused the state of dropping the ball on Tompkins, prompting the feds to step in.
"Once again, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley is stepping in to expose corruption by Democrats in Massachusetts. Sheriff Tompkins allegedly used his position of public trust for personal gain, thus violating his oath of office," Carnevale said in a statement.
Tompkins' arrest "reminds us that one-party rule in Massachusetts has been ineffective in preventing and exposing corruption and extortion by Democrats in offices from city council and state representative to county sheriff," she said.
Healey was one of many Democrats who endorsed Tompkins in his most recent reelection campaign.
An endorsement post from Healey praised Tompkins as "a strong partner in the push for a more equitable criminal justice system" who "worked diligently to expand critical substance use recovery programming, mental health services, and employment skills training," the wire service reported.
The charges have raised questions about whether Healey or Campbell could act to remove Tompkins .
While state law does not allow the governor to suspend an elected sheriff, the state's highest court ruled in 1994 that the governor and attorney general can petition for removal, State House News Service reported.
Asked Monday whether she might consider filing such a petition, Healey repeated that she would not comment further until she had more details.
"As I said, these are serious allegations, but until I have more information, I'm not going to comment on it," she said.
Tompkins hasn't said yet whether he plans to remain in office. He was first appointed by Gov. Deval Patrick in 2013, winning full terms in 2014, 2016, and 2022, State House News Service reported.
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