Afterwards he held official positions in Greece and Asia, where he became notorious for his greediness and cruelty.

With the money thus acquired, he had bought his election to the praetorship, became Senator, and was sent by his colleagues to govern Sicily.
His government there may have been no worse than that of many other proconsuls in the different provinces, but we have a fuller account of it owing to the prosecution of Cicero, whose speeches against Verres are preserved.
Verres was Governor of Sicily for three years.

In his official position, he was judge of all civil and criminal cases.

Every suit brought before him he gave to the party that could pay him best.

Property was confiscated on false charges, and works of art of great value were stolen.