Government
Jun. 22, 2002
Veteran Prosecutor Was Devoted to Bruins
LOS ANGELES - Margaret A. Barreto-Morehouse, a 22-year-veteran prosecutor who rose to become special assistant to former District Attorney Gil Garcetti, has died. She was 52.
In failing health for several years, Barreto-Morehouse died Tuesday at Providence-St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank from complications following pulmonary surgery, her brother, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Antonio Barreto Jr., said.
Throughout her career, Barreto-Morehouse handled a variety of assignments, including child-abuse and sex-crimes cases. During Garcetti's eight years as district attorney, she was in charge of legislative issues. Despite illness, she continued to work, most recently in the automobile insurance fraud division.
"Any time we needed something done correctly, and even though the task itself may have been very, very difficult, her plate was never too full," Garcetti recalled.
"She was an extremely hardworking and dedicated professional," Leslie Hanke, assistant chief of the insurance fraud division, said. "She was a good friend, and we'll miss her very much."
Known warmly among her friends and colleagues as Margo, she was well-liked because of her hard work and dedication to career, family, church and the UCLA Bruins.
"She was just one of those people that was unique," her brother said. "Everyone always says that about their relatives, but she just was. You could take all the ink you wanted, all the paper space you wanted, and still not say it all. She accomplished so much. She was just remarkable."
Barreto-Morehouse was born in New Bedford, Mass., to Portuguese immigrants. Three years later, the family moved to California. She was valedictorian of Hollywood High School's class of 1967.
She graduated with high honors in 1971 from UCLA, where she was Phi Beta Kappa and president of Alpha Delta Pi. She also received a master's degree in Spanish literature from UCLA.
Justice Patricia Bamattre-Manoukian of the 6th District Court of Appeal in Santa Clara was one of several sorority sisters who remained close to Barreto-Morehouse over the years.
"She was a really wonderful friend, always positive and great to be around," Bamattre-Manoukian said
Barreto-Morehouse was fanatical about UCLA sports and had season tickets to basketball and football games, the justice recalled.
"We talked a lot about UCLA sports," she said.
"She loved tailgating with her friends, and when the game began, no more loyal fan of the Blue and Gold ever lived," her brother said.
Barreto-Morehouse was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hollywood from childhood. She sang in the choir and was a member of the board of trustees.
"She was the kind of Christian that did not preach her religion to others," Barreto said. "Instead, her entire life was proof of her devotion to Jesus Christ."
Barreto-Morehouse taught high-school Spanish for seven years at Westlake, an exclusive Bel-Air girls' school that later merged with a boys' school to become Harvard-Westlake.
At the urging of her family and friends, who thought she'd be a good lawyer, she enrolled in Southwestern University School of Law, graduating in two years. Her first job out of law school was in the district attorney's office.
"I knew she would be an outstanding lawyer because of her work ethic and how she was extremely bright," Bamattre-Manoukian said.
Deputy District Attorney Sandra L. Buttitta recalls hearing about Barreto-Morehouse's courtroom skills and going to check her out.
"I think it was because she had been a teacher, because she could really teach a jury," Buttitta said.
Buttitta recruited Barreto-Morehouse for the sex-crimes division. When Buttitta became Garcetti's chief assistant, she brought her on as special assistant.
"She was someone I could constantly depend on," Buttitta said.
Barreto-Morehouse was a confidant and adviser to many of her colleagues.
"You could go to lunch with her and talk about everything. She was a great listener and she gave the best advice," Deputy District Attorney Lydia Bodin said.
"She was just one of the finest women I've ever known," said Buttitta, who now heads the office's juvenile division. "Let's face it, in the legal professional you see a lot of people driven by ego or envy - all kinds of bad things. But you never saw that in Margo."
In addition to her brother, Barreto-Morehouse is survived by her husband of 28 years, David Morehouse, a U.S. bank examiner; her mother, Maria; and two nephews.
Visitation is scheduled for 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. today at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills, followed at 1 p.m. Saturday by a memorial service at the Church of the Hills.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Margaret Barreto-Morehouse Scholarship Fund at Southwestern University School of Law, 675 S. Westmoreland Ave., Los Angeles 90005.
David Houston
david_houston@dailyjournal.com
For reprint rights or to order a copy of your photo:
Email
Jeremy_Ellis@dailyjournal.com
for prices.
Direct dial: 213-229-5424
Send a letter to the editor:
Email: letters@dailyjournal.com