Larizza sworn in as state attorney

Larizza sworn in as state attorney

Attorney defeated Tanner in August

By RICHARD PRIOR
richard.prior@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 01/07/09


PALM COAST -- R.J. Larizza arrived at his new position "the old-fashioned way: he earned it," Senior Circuit Judge Richard O. Watson said Tuesday morning, shortly before swearing Larizza in as the new state attorney for the 7th Judicial Circuit.

Larizza brings "impeccable integrity ... a committed sense of fairness" and a "superior work ethic" to the job, Watson told a packed house at Flagler Auditorium on the campus of Flagler Palm Coast High School.

"R.J. is an experienced, very successful litigator," the judge added. "He is committed to the client, who, today, becomes the people of the State of Florida."

Larizza, a St. Augustine attorney, defeated the former incumbent, John Tanner, in the Aug. 26 primary. The margin of victory was 2,632 out of 119,896 votes cast.

It was the first challenge Tanner had faced in 12 years as state attorney for the 7th Circuit, which includes St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler and Volusia counties.

Larizza said he chose Flagler for his investiture primarily because "Flagler County was the firestorm ... the place where things went terribly wrong."

"And this is where the healing starts," he continued. "This is the new beginning.

"I assure you ... the partnership with law enforcement will be strong. Flagler County is the symbol of a new beginning for the State Attorney's Office and for the 7th Circuit."

Tanner fought for more than two years to keep the seal on a presumably critical grand jury presentment. The report deals with the way Tanner's office investigated those who were involved in the 2005 arrest and detention of his daughter in Flagler County.

Sheriff Donald Fleming said in June 2006 that Tanner was on a "witch hunt" against the Flagler jail because of the way his daughter was treated following her arrest.

Two organizations that represent police officers in 11 counties announced last June that they were supporting Larizza in the race.

The Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association and Local 385 of the Teamsters Law Enforcement League represent officers in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach, Edgewater, DeLand and Volusia County.

Larizza on Tuesday praised the team that Tanner left behind, saying, "I am so lucky to be inheriting the quality of people who serve us all in the 7th Circuit."

It took Larizza nearly two and a half months to meet each of the 214 employees of the State Attorney's Office. The experience left him impressed with "the wonderful staff we have."

"Integrity, professionalism and common sense" would be the hallmarks of his tenure, Larizza said.

The office, he added, should adopt a motto suggested by retired Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Mathis, who will serve as deputy chief over the circuit's two Homicide Investigative Units.

The motto is "to seek justice and prosecute without fear, without favor, without reward and without the promise thereof," said Larizza. "I think that sums it up pretty well.

"My promise to you is we will prosecute those who need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent. We will be fair. We will be just. We will be accessible.

"And, by God, we're going to do it right."


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/010709/news_0107_014.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record