‘Tom’ knows Tony Soprano

Fans of the HBO series “The Sopranos” may have recognized “Tom the Tow Truck Driver” in a recent political advertisement about Maine’s Question 2. It turns out Tom, the gruff tow man who grumbled about his rich clients paying less excise tax if the referendum passed, was played by John Fiore, a veteran character actor from Boston known for his portrayal of Soprano family capo Gigi Cestone in seasons two and three of the hit mob drama.

Fiore also appeared for many seasons as Detective Tony Profaci on the long-running network drama “Law and Order.” (He also appeared in Showtime’s gangster drama “Brotherhood” for one season.)

The advertisement was bought by Citizens United for Maine’s Future, a political action committee that opposed the passage of Question 2, the excise tax cut, and Question 4, the so-called “taxpayer bill of rights.” Both initiatives were downed at the polls on Nov. 3.

The Sun Journal confirmed Fiore’s appearance in the advertisement with campaign staff this week, but the circumstances of his hiring — or the cost of the spot — remain undisclosed. The campaign has 11 days after Election Day to file its last financial expenditure statements.

— Tony Ronzio

And brother makes three

When James Minkowsky was promoted last week from lieutenant to deputy chief at the Lewiston Police Department, it might have sent ripples of sibling rivalry through the Minkowsky family.

His brother, Michael, is deputy chief at the Auburn Fire Department. Another brother, Steve, is deputy director of the Maine Workers Compensation Board.

Michael Minkowsky, who is closing in on his second anniversary as second-in-command, joked that the pressure is on for him to move up the ladder again.

“It’s going to be an interesting Thanksgiving,” he said.

— Christopher Williams

Only in Maine — NOT

A Washington state man lodged a criminal complaint against President Barack Obama in federal court in Portland. Not Oregon — Maine.

Anthony P. Keyter is a senior instructor pilot with Boeing Company in Seattle, according to a Web site bearing his name. He holds a master’s degree in physics and space science from the University of Houston and worked as a test pilot of high performance jet fighters after serving in the military as a paratrooper.

Keyter filed three actions with the U.S. District Court in Maine in October. Each of them is titled: “Criminal Charges Lodged Against” and he names his defendants. One of them is a criminal complaint against Obama and his cabinet. The other two cases name justices of the U.S. Supreme Court and members of the 111th Congress as defendants.

In a judge’s order, U.S. Magistrate Margaret Kravchuk wrote that Keyter’s actions were not accompanied by the necessary fees. She also wrote in her Oct. 14 order that he has been told that private citizens can’t enforce criminal statutes or prosecute crimes. That hasn’t stopped him from trying, apparently.

The judge warned that his cases may be dismissed at any time unless they conform with court policies.

“Keyter has already been the recipient of at least one order prohibiting further filings in the Western District of Washington relating to the subject matter of his claims against then-President Bush allegedly arising out of the president’s reckless disregard of his duties by not prosecuting various individuals in the state of Washington.”

The judge then wrote: “Keyter might well consider the impact of these prior rulings before he invests $1,050 in filing fees related to these three cases or otherwise attempts to have these matters processed in this court.” 

— Christopher Williams