TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Area's Next U.S. Attorney Readies To Take Office

ADVERTISEMENT

By ELAINE SILVESTRINI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2008

TAMPA - The next U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida says he hopes to be sworn in this week.

A. Brian Albritton said he is packing up his law office at Holland and Knight, where he has worked 18 years, and waiting for President Bush to sign his commission. The U.S. Senate approved his nomination on Oct. 2.

Since then, Albritton said, he's arranged for his former clients to have other lawyers represent them.

"I have a lot of stuff to pack and people to see and say goodbye to," Albritton said.

He said he's not ready yet to discuss his priorities at U.S Attorney, the highest-ranking federal law enforcement official in one of the largest federal court districts, which covers a large swath of Florida stretching from the Georgia border in the northeast part of the state to south of Naples.

It's possible Albritton will serve only a short time in the job if the next president asks for the resignations of all U.S. attorneys. However, there could be an extension of his term to accommodate for the time it may take for the new administration to find a replacement.

"I'm looking to make the best of this for as long as I can," Albritton said. "I've enjoyed the bipartisan support that got me in this position. …I'm not going to speculate on what's going to happen Jan. 20. I'm just thinking the best."

When he is sworn in, Albritton will fill a vacancy dating from March 2007, when former U.S. Attorney Paul Perez resigned. Interim U.S. Attorney Robert E. O'Neill did not apply for the permanent appointment.

Reporter Elaine Silverstrini can be reached at esilvestrini@tampatrib.com or (813) 258-7837.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT