DeGabrielle, former U.S. attorney
Bush appointee, known for being fair, dies at 64
Donald J. DeGabrielle Jr., a former U.S. attorney who spent the bulk of his career prosecuting public corruption cases and white-collar offenses, dies at 64.
Donald J. DeGabrielle Jr., a former U.S. attorney who spent the bulk of his career prosecuting public corruption cases and white collar offenses, died Monday from complications of liver disease, according to a longtime colleague Tim Johnson. He was 64.
DeGabrielle served as the top federal law enforcement official in the Southern District of Texas from 2006 to 2008.
He was appointed by President George W. Bush to head the region, which stretches from near the Louisiana border to Laredo. Most recently, was a partner at a private Houston firm, chair- ing the white collar criminal defense unit at Lewis Brisbois.
He served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the office for 20 years trying over 50 federal jury cases including public corruption, white collar and environmental crimes, bank fraud, and narcotics prosecutions.
He worked as an FBI special agent in New York and New Orleans and prior to that as chief of trials in the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office in New Orleans, where he participated as counsel in more than 150 jury trials.
DeGabrielle earned a reputation for fairness among fellow prosecutors and defense attorneys alike at the Justice Department.
Respected by all
Several prominent defense attorneys told the Chronicle at the time of his retirement from the Justice Department that they considered DeGabrielle the U.S. attorney who did the least harm and who asked them most often what he could do better.
Former U.S. Attorney Ron Woods, who appointed him to chief of the criminal division in 1990, said DeGabrielle was very respected by the lawyers in the office and the judges.
He recalled, “I was serving on the senators’ Federal Judicial Evaluation Committee when Don applied later for the U.S. Attorney’s position, and he was clearly the most qualified, as the senators readily agreed, nominating him for appointment by President George W. Bush.”
U.S. Attorney Ryan Patrick said in a statement that although he did not work with him directly, he aware of DeGabrielle’s long and dedicated service to the federal government and his reputation in the community.
“He was respected for his legal skill, his judgment and his leadership. On behalf of his friends and colleagues in this office, it is with great sadness that we acknowledge his passing,” Patrick said.
‘Lost a true leader’
DeGabrielle considered his position as head prosecutor “a mission and a privilege,” the release said, noting that “he frequently reminded employees that they enjoyed the community’s trust and faith, and insisted that they earn and protect that trust and faith every day.”
Patrick’s predecessor, Ken Magidson, worked side by side with him in the ranks and also admired his commitment.
“The federal law enforcement community lost a true leader,” Magidson said. “As a former FBI agent and career prosecutor, he led many public corruption and white collar investigations and prosecutions both in Houston and along the southwest border during his career. As a close friend, I have witnessed his personal dedication to his oath to insure that justice was done in every case.”
Attorney Tim Johnson, his former first assistant at the U.S. Attorney’s Office and chairman of the white collar defense and internal investigations at Locke Lord, recalled him as an excellent trial lawyer who was well-respected by lawyers on both sides of the bar.
“He was just a good human being who people wanted to spend time with,” Johnson said. “There is not a single lawyer who worked in the U.S. Attorney’s Office during the last 30 years who wasn’t positively influenced by Don.”
DeGabrielle was hired by the Justice Department 1986 and handled a variety of cases, rising to chief of the criminal division and first assistant to U.S. Attorney Mike Shelby. He also served as first-ever Resident Legal Advisor to the South African National Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
He was born in Lake Charles, La., and received his undergraduate degree from McNeese State University and his law degree from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.
He is survived by his wife, Catherine; daughter, Crystal; son, Hunter; brother, Jeb Barsh; and sister, Brandy Wheeler.