Vincent Pastore, who played gangster Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” appeared in Manhattan Criminal Court as a judge presided over a plea offer in the actor’s alleged assault on a former girlfriend.
Pastore is free without bail. He has pleaded not guilty to four misdemeanors — two counts of assault and one count each of attempted assault and harassment from an alleged attack on Lisa Regina, 44, in Little Italy in April.
The 58-year-old actor left the courtroom Thursday with his lawyer, Dominic Barbara, who wouldn’t comment on whether Pastore would accept the plea deal on the top count of assault.
The plea deal includes 10 days of community service and participation in a domestic abuse program. Pastore also must respect a court order of protection for Regina.
Judge Ellen Coin set a Sept. 26 trial date. If convicted on all four counts, Pastore could be sentenced to up to a year in jail.
At Pastore’s arraignment on April 5, Assistant District Attorney James Zaleta alleged the actor had punched Regina in the back of the head, grabbed her hair and rammed her head onto the gear shift in their car. Zaleta said she had to be treated for cuts and bruises.