Biography

Michael O’Gara was born in 1964.  His family moved to Los Angeles County when he was an infant.  He attended Los Angeles Unified schools.  During high school he led the John H. Francis Polytechnic High School Marching Band, and marched with the Los Angeles Unified School District’s All-City Band as Drum Major in two Rose Bowl Parades.

Michael attended UCLA earning a B.A. in History where he focused on the history of Latin America.  In addition to his studies, Michael led the UCLA Marching Band for four years as Drum Major.  He performed in three Rose Bowls, the Fiesta Bowl, the NIT Basketball Tournament, the 1984 Olympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies, and Ronald Reagan’s second Inaugural celebration in Washington D.C..

He received his law degree from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles.  During law school Michael worked as a law clerk for the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office as a member of the Jailhouse Informant Litigation Team.  

He was hired as a Deputy District Attorney in 1991 and has since worked in a number of courts throughout the County including Compton, Glendale, David V. Kenyon Juvenile Justice Center, Burbank, Alhambra, Santa Anita, El Monte, Bellflower, East Los Angeles, Pasadena, Pomona, and the Criminal Courts Building – now called the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center.

Michael O’Gara married Melissa Baker in 1995 and they have two wonderful children.  He is an active volunteer in a number of school and youth groups.  He coaches youth soccer (AYSO) and basketball (YMCA) for his children’s teams.  Michael also volunteers with the PTA and the Parent Action Committee with his local Elementary School and is an active Den Leader with the Boy Scouts of America.  He has also coached the Clark Magnet High School’s Moot Court team for the last eight years in the annual competition organized by the Constitutional Rights Foundation.

Michael presently works in the Bureau of Fraud and Corruption Prosecutions where he is assigned to investigate and prosecute over 30 complex cases with losses in excess of $35 million.