Attorney General Martha Coakley's office is reportedly investigating Essex County Sheriff Frank Cousins for corruption involving employees and political funding according to a WBZ I-Team report.

WBZ is reporting that Cousins is accused by several employees of pressuring employees to donate to his war chest, promoting those who donate and retaliating against those who do not. Soliciting campaign donations in a public building and pressuring employees to donate to a campaign are both illegal.

The initial February WBZ report featured an anonymous employee, but eight employees have since come forward publicly identifying themselves for the I-Team's new report on the matter. And WBZ claims Coakley's office is now investigating.

Cousins denies the accusations. Read the full story here.