BOSTON (SHNS) - Suffolk County Sheriff Steven Tompkins will step away from his official duties while extortion charges against him play out in federal court and a deputy will assume control of the department, the governor and attorney general announced Wednesday morning.

The Democrat in the midst of a six-year term that runs through 2028 has faced questions about his ability to continue serving as sheriff while he faces charges that he used his official position to extort a marijuana company. Gov. Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell said in a joint statement Wednesday that the role of sheriff will be filled in the interim by Special Sheriff Mark Lawhorne "consistent with state law."

"The allegations against Sheriff Tompkins are serious. The Suffolk County Sheriff is respons

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