New Law Blogs

During Lunch Break, Tampa U.S. Attorney Sworn In

By Leah Nylen

New Middle District of Florida U.S. Attorney Robert O’Neill was sworn in Tuesday afternoon — during a brief recess for lunch in a criminal trial he is prosecuting, the Tampa Tribune reported.

Robert O'Neill (DOJ)

O’Neill, a veteran Assistant U.S. Attorney who has worked in the Tampa-based district since 1993, will give closing arguments in the trial later this afternoon, the newspaper reported. But first, he took the oath of office, administered by U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday, before about 30 friends and colleagues.

O’Neill served as Chief of the office’s Criminal Division from 2002 to 2007, and Chief of the Special Prosecutions Section and Public Corruption Section from 1999 to 2001. He also served at the U.S. Attorney?s office in Miami from 1986 to 1990. Before that, he was an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan from 1982 to 1986.

O’Neill replaces A. Brian Albritton, who became U.S. Attorney in 2008 after Paul I. Perez resigned in 2007. Albritton will become a partner at Phelps Dunbar.

“Are you going to give a speech to your assembled fans?” Merryday asked after administering the oath, according to the Tribune.

“Not today, judge,” O’Neill replied.

Full post as published by Main Justice on October 05, 2010 (boomark / email).