Tampa's top federal prosecutor takes oath of office

It was fitting, Lee Bentley said, that the weather was chilly today, the day Robert E. O'Neill was officially sworn in as U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

O'Neill once "told me it'll be a cold day in hell when I'm named U.S. attorney," quipped Bentley, the first assistant U.S. attorney, introducing his boss during the decidedly informal formal swearing-in ceremony. "Whether the denizens of the underworld are having a respite from the heat or not, up here we can celebrate."

As one of the state's top federal law enforcement officers took the oath of office, the ceremonial courtroom of the downtown federal courthouse was packed with more than 200 of the area's legal elite, including Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, Florida Attorney General-elect Pam Bondi, judges, heads of federal and local law enforcement agencies, attorneys and O'Neill's friends and family.

About 50 more attendees watched on closed circuit television from an overflow room.

The ceremony contrasted with O'Neill's informal swearing in during a lunch break from a trial in October, with about 30 colleagues watching and no speeches given.

Between jokes and stories, Bentley lauded O'Neill for his integrity, charisma, humor and work ethic.

"Like all great leaders, he leads by example," he said.

Most of all, Bentley said, "Bobby O'Neill wants to do justice, and that's why he wants this job."

O'Neill, the son of Irish and German immigrants, began his remarks with a reference to "a well-known Irish drinking song, 'Finnegan's Wake.'" Looking baffled, he said, "With all the nice things being said about me, perhaps I'm dead."

He thanked everyone for coming, noting some had come great distances. Referring to a celebration planned afterward at Four Green Fields, the Irish pub in South Tampa he co-owns, O'Neill joked, "I do know, for many of you, free beer was quite a big incentive.

"I thought of coming up with some deep thoughts," he said. "Those of you that don't know me well will be disappointed I don't have any, and those that do know me didn't expect any."

O'Neill said he hopes to foster an environment where everyone in the legal community remains friends and is understanding when someone makes a mistake.

"There are very few bad apples in the system," he said.

He said he wants prosecutors to pursue justice, not just try to win cases. "We want zealous prosecutors; we don't want overzealous prosecutors.

"We have to provide equal justice under the law for everyone. That's the key. That's what we will strive to do."