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Heroin epidemic key issue in DA race

3 min read
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From left, Gene Vittone and Peter Marcoline III

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Gene Vittone

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Peter Marcoline III

Incumbent Republican District Attorney Gene Vittone, who eked out a victory four years ago to win the office, faces a different Democratic challenger in Peter Marcoline III in the Nov. 3 general election.

Vittone and Marcoline were vocal over the last several months about Washington County’s growing heroin epidemic and ways to address it. Their platforms both include treatment, prevention, education and stricter penalties for dealing drugs.

Vittone said his background as an emergency medical technician and pharmaceutical drug representative makes him “perfectly positioned to be the district attorney.” He said his work over the past four years speaks for itself.

”We have a great group of assistant district attorneys. The office is operating efficiently, but we still have work to do,” Vittone said. “I love what I do, and I hope the people will let me continue to do what I do best.”

Vittone said he fostered connections with the National Heroin Task Force, U.S. Attorney David Hickton and was invited to speak at the White House about the county’s efforts to combat drug abuse. He also grew and developed the county’s drug task force and made drug takeback boxes available at area police stations.

Marcoline said his experience as a criminal defense attorney makes him the ideal candidate for the job.

“I know criminal law like the back of my hand,” he said. “I have been trying to help drug addicts for the last 12 years.”

Marcoline recently applied for a $935,000 Washington County Local Share Account grant for a comprehensive illegal drug reduction initiative. The funds would be used by the district attorney to utilize resources to battle the drug problem, he said. If granted, the money would be spread over three years.

Earlier this year, a Washington County judge accused Marcoline of perjuring himself during a hearing on a case involving Cameron Reihner, a defendant he represented. Judge John DiSalle made the allegation after determining Marcoline was dishonest on the stand.

Marcoline denies the allegation. Vittone said he made a referral to the attorney’s general office, something he is required to do when a conflict presents itself. He was unaware if the AG’s office ever investigated the allegation when made aware of the judge’s opinion.

“I think the (judge’s) opinion speaks for itself,” Vittone said.

Marcoline said he was never contacted about an investigation. Marcoline was included in a federal lawsuit filed by Reihner and his family as a result. Also named as defendants are the county, Assistant District Attorney Michael Fagella, DiSalle and the law firm by which Marcoline is employed, Blackwell and Associates.

Marcoline also came under fire for a series of 2010 parking tickets that were thrown out. Marcoline said the parking tickets were properly dismissed after filing appeals because the city’s parking meters were found not to be operating correctly.

Both men said there are still a series of changes that must be undergone before the district attorney’s office can operate at a optimum level. Those changes include additional personnel, pretrial services and case management software.

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