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U.S. Attorney Invokes Robert Kennedy at Investiture

By Andrew Ramonas

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania drew on the words of former Attorney General Robert Kennedy during his ceremonial investiture on Tuesday.

David Hickton (DOJ)

U.S. Attorney David Hickton, who the Senate confirmed on Aug. 5, told family, friends, colleagues and dignitaries gathered for his swearing in that Kennedy instructed U.S. Attorneys to: “Do the right thing; be just; do not concern yourself with the background or political persuasion of the people you investigate — prosecute crime not people — be strong and vigilant but always be fair,” according to his prepared remarks.

Hickton, who was sworn in by senior U.S. District Judge Gustave Diamond, a U.S. Attorney under Kennedy, said he would be aggressive, but fair as the top federal prosecutor in the Pittsburgh-based district.

“[W]e will strike hard blows but not foul ones,” Hickton said. “[W]e will ensure that the guilty are punished and the innocent do not suffer.”

Full post as published by Main Justice on September 08, 2010 (boomark / email).