There have been a lot of high-level shenanigans on Gov. Maura Healey’s watch, from fraud charges, federal indictments and alleged improprieties of all stripes by those in power.

Healey is swift and strong in her condemnation of breaches to the public trust.

Sometimes.

On April 11, federal authorities arrested Rep. Chris Flanagan of Dennis Port on charges that he stole tens of thousands of dollars from a trade association he worked for, covered up the thefts, and then used the money to pay personal bills and fund his campaign for elected office.

Prosecutors accused Flanagan, a Democrat who won a second term in November, of orchestrating a “multi-faceted scheme” in which he allegedly stole $36,000 from the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod between November 2021 and January 2023.

U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley said the 37-year-old used a majority of the allegedly stolen funds to pay personal mortgage bills, pay down thousands in credit card debt, make personal expenditures, and even support his first run for state office.

That same day, Healey called for Flanagan to resign.

“These are serious allegations against Representative Flanagan that threaten to undermine the important work of the Legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents. He should resign,” Healey said in a statement.

She was right. So why the slow walk when it comes to embattled Sheriff Steven Tompkins?

On Aug. 8, the Suffolk County sheriff was arrested in Florida on federal charges that he extorted a Boston cannabis company for pre-IPO stock.

Federal prosecutors say he used his position to bully company executives into allowing him to invest $50,000 in the company ahead of an initial public offering, after which his stake increased in value to nearly $140,000. When the stock price subsequently fell below his initial investment, prosecutors say, Tompkins demanded the full $50,000 returned to “help pay for campaign and personal expenses.”

It’s nearly a week later, and Healey has yet to call for his resignation.

Earlier this week, Healey called the allegations against Tompkins “serious” but said she needed “more information before commenting.”

“They’re certainly serious, and no one in elected positions should ever use or abuse their power in an unlawful way,” Healey said. “I need to know more about this. I need to get more information.”

Why? If Healey needs “more information” before calling for a public official to resign, why pull the trigger so quickly on Flanagan? And if charges threaten to undermine important work and cast doubt on one’s ability to serve, why hesitate with Tompkins?

Tompkins himself resigned from the Roxbury Community College Board of Trustees, where he served as chair, making it formal Tuesday in a letter to Healey.

In a statement to the Herald, Healey said Tompkins “made the right decision by stepping down from the Roxbury Community College Board.”

Did she ask the sheriff to resign from his post? As of this writing, no word yet.

Either serious allegations are a breach of the public trust or they’re not. They cast doubt on an official’s ability to do their job, or they don’t.

It’s not a coin toss.

Make up your mind, governor.

Editorial cartoon by Steve Kelley (Creators Syndicate)