Prosecutors say the Suffolk County Sheriff used his post to get stock in a cannabis company — and then demand the return of his $50,000 investment.

The sheriff's lawyer vigorously defended his client outside the courthouse, citing his "lifetime dedicated to law enforcement and criminal justice."

Prosecutors allege that Tompkins used his position to pressure a cannabis executive into selling him $50,000 worth of stock before the company went public. When the shares crashed, Tompkins allegedly demanded his investment returned in full.