Sullivan sworn in

By David Kibbe, Ottaway News Service

BOSTON -- Former Plymouth District Attorney Michael Sullivan was sworn in yesterday as the new U.S. attorney for Massachusetts, calling the investigation into the terrorist hijackings "the nation's highest priority."

Mr. Sullivan, 46, said he had mixed emotions before he took the oath administered by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William Young. Like the rest of America, he was shaken by last week's attacks. But he was ready to answer the call of President George W. Bush, who nominated him.

"As President Bush said, it is time for us to get to work," Mr. Sullivan said.

The John Joseph Moakley Courthouse was enveloped in security, evoking scenes from a wartime movie, rather than a courtroom drama. Since last week's attacks on the Pentagon and the World Trade Center, security has tightened dramatically around the building on Boston's waterfront.

Federal marshals are stationed outside the courthouse with automatic military-style rifles. Concrete barriers surround the building.

Visitors now have to show two forms of photo identification. Previously, they only had to pass through a metal detector.

"Certainly, there is a reality when you walk up to this building, how our country has changed in a matter of eight days," Mr. Sullivan told reporters. "It's unimaginable that events could change so significantly."

The U.S. Senate last Friday rushed through the confirmation of 12 new U.S. attorneys, including Mr. Sullivan, at the request of President Bush.

The president said they needed to be in place as soon as possible to investigate the terrorist attacks.

Yesterday's ceremony was low-key, taking place in a small courtroom packed with Mr. Sullivan's family, federal judges and assistant U.S. attorneys.

"In light of what happened a week ago, we thought it wasn't the appropriate time to have a celebration," said Mr. Sullivan, a former state representative from Abington.

Despite the lack of hoopla, Judge Young called the ceremony a "historic occasion," saying it was a crucial time "in the life of the country and the life of a society."

Mr. Sullivan's wife, Terry, and their four children stood beside him as Judge Young administered the oath of office. He replaces former U.S. Attorney Donald Stern, who was nominated by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

Mr. Sullivan will now lead a federal task force to investigate the hijackings in Massachusetts. The state is expected to be particularly important, because the two airliners that crashed into the World Trade Center took off from Logan Airport.

Mr. Sullivan declined comment on any aspect of the investigation, or whether federal agents should control security at Logan. He was scheduled to get his first briefings on the investigation yesterday.

"I'm anxious to get going," he told reporters. "I want to thank the president for the confidence he has put in me. I want to thank the attorney general as well. I look forward to working with a tremendously talented group of assistant U.S. attorneys. They're extremely dedicated and hard-working."

Mr. Sullivan will supervise a staff of 100 prosecutors in Boston, Worcester and Springfield. The office is handling a number of high-profile cases, including a Justice Department probe into corruption at the Boston FBI and the murder trial of former FBI informant Stephen "The Rifleman" Flemmi.

He must also decide whether to seek federal charges that could bring the death penalty against confessed serial killer Gary Sampson, who is charged with murdering three people in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Mr. Sullivan, who supports the death penalty, has said in the past that Mr. Sampson should face federal charges.

Former Gov. A. Paul Cellucci recommended that President Bush nominate Mr. Sullivan, who earned a reputation as a no-nonsense prosecutor in Plymouth County. He has been hesitant to plea-bargain with defendants.

Mr. Sullivan was appointed Plymouth County district attorney by former Gov. William F. Weld in 1995. He was elected district attorney in 1996 and ran unopposed two years later. He was a state representative from 1990 to 1995.

Mr. Sullivan this week named Frank Gaziano, his first assistant in Plymouth County, as his first assistant in the U.S. attorney's office.

Acting Gov. Jane M. Swift will name Mr. Sullivan's replacement for the rest of his term. A special election for Plymouth district attorney will be held in 2002.

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