When 'The Sopranos' Hit the Streets

Ventimiglia plays whacko Chief Artie Bucco in the famous HBO series about a New Jersey mafia family, 'The Sopranos'. He is now the fifth member of the cast to get into legal troubles.

The actor was pulled over by the police at the beginning of May, after having noticed that he waved in and out of lanes on the streets of New York. The police officers said that, when he got out of his car, he had red and watery eyes and smelled strongly of alcohol. He had his driving license suspended for a period of 90 days and paid a fine of $500.

Today, in court, Ventimiglia pleaded guilty on the charges and got a pretty good deal with the attorney's office. Police reports show that, on a closer inspection of the actor's vehicle, they also found a plastic bag containing a white powder, supposed to be cocaine. Drug charges were dropped and 'The Soprano' was recommended that he attend a detoxification program, a one-day course about the dangers of driving while under the influence of alcohol and must also visit 30 high schools and talk to teenagers about his personal experience of drunk driving.

The actor has until September 25 to comply with the court's orders and, should he fail to do so, will be sentenced to jail.