BOSTON, Massachusetts — Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins has resigned from his position as Chair of the Roxbury Community College (RCC) Board of Trustees following a federal indictment that has sent shockwaves through Massachusetts political and law enforcement circles. The resignation, which takes effect on August 12, 2025, comes amid mounting public scrutiny and political pressure after Tompkins was charged with federal extortion offenses.
In a formal resignation letter addressed to Governor Maura Healey, Tompkins acknowledged his departure from the board and expressed appreciation for his time at the institution.
“Please accept this letter as my formal resignation,” Tompkins wrote. “I have greatly appreciated serving as a Trustee of Roxbury Community College’s Board and as Chair of the Board of Trustees.”
Governor Healey welcomed the move, stating that Tompkins “has made the right decision by stepping down” from the college leadership role. Following his resignation, Vice Chair Israül Marrero has been appointed to serve as interim chair of the RCC Board of Trustees, ensuring continuity in governance during the transition.
Pressure Mounts After Federal Charges
The resignation follows a federal grand jury indictment unsealed last week, accusing Tompkins of two counts of extortion. According to prosecutors, the charges stem from allegations that Tompkins attempted to exploit his elected position for personal financial gain.
Federal authorities allege that Tompkins pressured a Boston-based cannabis company executive to provide a payment of $50,000 in exchange for help navigating business operations within the city. The U.S. Justice Department claims the alleged scheme involved discussions of acquiring an equity stake in the company, with Tompkins purportedly leveraging his influence and authority as Suffolk County Sheriff.
Tompkins was arrested in Florida last Friday and later released pending further court proceedings. He has not entered a plea as of yet, and his legal team has not issued a detailed public response beyond stating that he intends to contest the charges.
Uncertainty Over His Role as Sheriff
While Tompkins has resigned from the Roxbury Community College Board, a far more consequential question remains unanswered: Will he step down as Suffolk County Sheriff?
Governor Healey addressed the issue earlier this week, describing the allegations as “serious” and emphasizing the importance of accountability in public office.
“No one in elected positions should ever use or abuse their power in an unlawful way,” Healey said. “I need more information before commenting further on his role as sheriff.”
At present, Tompkins continues to hold the elected sheriff’s position, though calls for his resignation have intensified from political opponents, ethics advocates, and community leaders. Some have argued that remaining in office while facing federal charges undermines public trust in law enforcement leadership.
Impact on Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Community College officials have sought to distance the institution from the controversy, emphasizing that the resignation helps protect the college’s integrity. RCC serves a large and diverse student population and plays a critical role in workforce development and higher education access in Boston.
Board members have expressed confidence that the leadership transition will not disrupt academic operations or long-term strategic planning. With Israül Marrero stepping in as interim chair, the board is expected to continue its work while state officials consider next steps for appointing a permanent replacement.
Political and Legal Fallout
The indictment has reignited broader debates about ethics, oversight, and accountability for elected law enforcement officials. Unlike appointed positions, elected sheriffs operate with significant autonomy, making mechanisms for discipline and removal more complex.
Legal experts note that if Tompkins is convicted on the extortion charges, he could face substantial fines and potential prison time under federal law. A conviction could also have serious implications for his eligibility to remain in office.
For now, the case remains in its early stages, but the political consequences are already unfolding. Advocacy groups have called for stronger safeguards to prevent abuses of power, while lawmakers have renewed discussions about reforming oversight structures for county-level officials.
What Comes Next
As federal proceedings move forward, attention will remain focused on whether Steven Tompkins can continue serving as Suffolk County Sheriff while under indictment. The coming weeks are likely to bring increased pressure from state leaders, the public, and within law enforcement ranks.
The resignation from the Roxbury Community College Board marks the first major fallout from the case, but it may not be the last. With trust in public institutions at stake, the outcome of the legal process could have lasting implications for governance and accountability across Massachusetts.
By Zamal Uddin
In a formal resignation letter addressed to Governor Maura Healey, Tompkins acknowledged his departure from the board and expressed appreciation for his time at the institution.
“Please accept this letter as my formal resignation,” Tompkins wrote. “I have greatly appreciated serving as a Trustee of Roxbury Community College’s Board and as Chair of the Board of Trustees.”
Governor Healey welcomed the move, stating that Tompkins “has made the right decision by stepping down” from the college leadership role. Following his resignation, Vice Chair Israül Marrero has been appointed to serve as interim chair of the RCC Board of Trustees, ensuring continuity in governance during the transition.
Pressure Mounts After Federal Charges
The resignation follows a federal grand jury indictment unsealed last week, accusing Tompkins of two counts of extortion. According to prosecutors, the charges stem from allegations that Tompkins attempted to exploit his elected position for personal financial gain.
Federal authorities allege that Tompkins pressured a Boston-based cannabis company executive to provide a payment of $50,000 in exchange for help navigating business operations within the city. The U.S. Justice Department claims the alleged scheme involved discussions of acquiring an equity stake in the company, with Tompkins purportedly leveraging his influence and authority as Suffolk County Sheriff.
Tompkins was arrested in Florida last Friday and later released pending further court proceedings. He has not entered a plea as of yet, and his legal team has not issued a detailed public response beyond stating that he intends to contest the charges.
Uncertainty Over His Role as Sheriff
While Tompkins has resigned from the Roxbury Community College Board, a far more consequential question remains unanswered: Will he step down as Suffolk County Sheriff?
Governor Healey addressed the issue earlier this week, describing the allegations as “serious” and emphasizing the importance of accountability in public office.
“No one in elected positions should ever use or abuse their power in an unlawful way,” Healey said. “I need more information before commenting further on his role as sheriff.”
At present, Tompkins continues to hold the elected sheriff’s position, though calls for his resignation have intensified from political opponents, ethics advocates, and community leaders. Some have argued that remaining in office while facing federal charges undermines public trust in law enforcement leadership.
Impact on Roxbury Community College
Roxbury Community College officials have sought to distance the institution from the controversy, emphasizing that the resignation helps protect the college’s integrity. RCC serves a large and diverse student population and plays a critical role in workforce development and higher education access in Boston.
Board members have expressed confidence that the leadership transition will not disrupt academic operations or long-term strategic planning. With Israül Marrero stepping in as interim chair, the board is expected to continue its work while state officials consider next steps for appointing a permanent replacement.
Political and Legal Fallout
The indictment has reignited broader debates about ethics, oversight, and accountability for elected law enforcement officials. Unlike appointed positions, elected sheriffs operate with significant autonomy, making mechanisms for discipline and removal more complex.
Legal experts note that if Tompkins is convicted on the extortion charges, he could face substantial fines and potential prison time under federal law. A conviction could also have serious implications for his eligibility to remain in office.
For now, the case remains in its early stages, but the political consequences are already unfolding. Advocacy groups have called for stronger safeguards to prevent abuses of power, while lawmakers have renewed discussions about reforming oversight structures for county-level officials.
What Comes Next
As federal proceedings move forward, attention will remain focused on whether Steven Tompkins can continue serving as Suffolk County Sheriff while under indictment. The coming weeks are likely to bring increased pressure from state leaders, the public, and within law enforcement ranks.
The resignation from the Roxbury Community College Board marks the first major fallout from the case, but it may not be the last. With trust in public institutions at stake, the outcome of the legal process could have lasting implications for governance and accountability across Massachusetts.
By Zamal Uddin
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