Former assistant U.S. attorney and prominent defense attorney Paul Fishman was sworn in as the next U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.
With Fishman's wife at his side, Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito administered the oath as Sens. Frank Lautenberg and Robert Menendez looked on.
The audience included a who's who of New Jersey politics and law enforcement. Among the 400 guest in attendance: Gov. Corzine, Gov-elect Christie, former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, NJ FBI Director Weysan Dun, and 9-11 Commission member Jamie Gorelick.
Fishman takes over an office from Chris Christie and acting U.S. attorney Ralph Marra that in recent years has focused on the widespread public corruption problem across the state.
In his remarks, Senator Menendez called on Fishman to do more to focus on the the state's violent gang problem as well as economic and white collar crimes.
Attorney general Eric Holder said in addition to prosecuting federal crimes in NJ, Holder said Fishman will serve as a key adviser. "I will rely on a man I trust," Holder said.
In his speech, Fishman promised to run an ethical and fair office. He promised to focus on traditional law enforcement issues like street crime in addition the Justice Department's focus on national security.
"My name is Paul Fishman and I represent the United States," Fishman declared. Those words, he said, he takes a seriously as the oath of office.
