The ANNOTICO Report

Life imitates Art imitates Life. Another Cast Member of the Sopranos runs
afoul of the Law.

Vincent Pastore, the actor who played gangster Big Pussy on the HBO hit
series "The Sopranos", has been charged with four misdemeanors - two counts
of assault and one each of attempted assault and harassment - related to an
alleged attack on then-girlfriend Lisa Regina, 44.

Pastore punched Regina in the back of the head, grabbed her hair and forced
her head down so that she struck her eye on the gear shift in their car.He
then grabbed Regina tightly by the arm and jerked her out of the car,
causing her to hit her head on the door frame. He said that she fell out of
the car backward into the street and hurt her lower back and that Pastore
drove away.

Regina's transgression? Regina was late for a trip they were to take.......

South Boston
Associated Press
By Samuel Maull
Associated Press Writer
May 5, 2005

NEW YORK (AP) -- Vincent Pastore, the actor who played gangster Big Pussyon
the HBO hit series "The Sopranos," was offered a plea deal Thursday
inconnection with charges that he assaulted his former girlfriend. His
lawyer said he was considering it.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Weinberg said at a hearing in Manhattan
Criminal Court that his office was recommending that Pastore be sentenced
to five days of community service, attend a batterers' program and sign a
final order of protection.

As Pastore left court, attracting looks of recognition from passers-by, he
was asked why he did not accept the plea deal. He replied, "Because I
didn't do anything."

Pastore, 58, is free without bail. He has pleaded not guilty to four
misdemeanors - two counts of assault and one each of attempted assault and
harassment - related to an alleged attack on then-girlfriend Lisa Regina,
44, last month in Little Italy.

The actor's lawyer, Dominic Barbara, said, "We received the (plea) offer
today, and we are discussing it. We will have a response for the district
attorney. We are appreciative that they are treating this case as they
would any other."

Judge Larry Stephen ordered Pastore to return to court June 30, when the
judge expects to issue decisions on motions from both sides. Meanwhile,
Pastore is already bound by an order from his last court appearance to stay
away from Regina.

At Pastore's arraignment on April 5, Assistant District Attorney James
Zaleta said the actor had punched Regina in the back of the head, grabbed
her hair and forced her head down so that she struck her eye on the gear
shift in their car.

Zaleta said Pastore grabbed Regina tightly by the arm and jerked her out of
the car, causing her to hit her head on the door frame. He said that she
fell out of the car backward into the street and hurt her lower back and
that Pastore drove away.

The prosecutor said Regina was treated at a hospital for lumps, cuts and
bruises inflicted by Pastore. He did not say why the alleged assault
occurred, but published reports said the two argued because Regina was late
for a trip they were to take.

Pastore played the "Sopranos" character Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero,
who was killed as payback for snitching on the mob.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/
B/BIG_PUSSY_ASSAULT?
SITE=MAQUI&SECTION=
HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT