Politics & Government

Vittone Announces District Attorney Bid

The Bentleyville attorney's announcement comes days after District Attorney Steve Toprani publicly announced he would not seek a second term.

 that he would not run for a second term, a Bentleyville attorney announced his bid for the position.

Eugene A. Vittone, a Republican, announced his candidacy this week for the Washington County District Attorney post. A Washington County native, Vittone said he has served his community for more than 30 years — first as a paramedic and currently as an assistant district attorney, a position he's held for 12 years.

, a Democrat from Peters Township, is also running for the position.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

As an assistant district attorney, Vittone represented the Commonwealth in several thousand criminal matters and has prosecuted homicide cases, he said. A veteran trial lawyer, Vittone currently manages the district attorney’s elder abuse prosecution unit and handles financial crime cases.

According to his release, Vittone was one of the initial founders of the Washington County Drug Treatment Court. In addition to his public service, Vittone said he represents landowners in oil, gas and mineral law from his private practice in Bentleyville.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“My extensive community involvement and record of public service have prepared me for the challenge of serving as district attorney. Throughout my public career, I’ve exercised independent judgment in matters of life or death and made tough prosecutorial decisions to protect our citizens,” Vittone said. “I look forward to engaging the voters with a positive plan to ensure the safety and progress of Washington County.”

Gene and his wife, Jane Ann, live in Bentleyville with their two children. Vittone is a member of the Ave Maria church choir and has coached basketball for the Upward Program and baseball for Bentleyville Youth Baseball.

He is a graduate of , received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh in Biology, holds Master’s Degrees in Business Administration and Health Administration, and is a cum laude graduate of Duquesne Law School.


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