Paul Sorvino: Bad publicity in Pennsylvania killed a deal to distribute taxpayer-funded film

"Goodfellas" actor Paul Sorvino is blaming unfavorable news coverage for killing a deal to distribute a movie he produced with $500,000 from a Pennsylvania county.

Sorvino told WILK-FM on Wednesday that negative commentary from a station host and a newspaper columnist caused trouble for "The Trouble With Cali."

He says a Canadian distributor didn't want to be part of the controversy surrounding the taxpayer-subsidized production.

Lackawanna County commissioners agreed to help fund the $1.3 million film in 2006.

It was written by Sorvino's daughter Amanda and co-starred his Oscar-winning daughter Mira. Portions were filmed in Scranton.

Sorvino says he's upset the movie languished after debuting at a 2012 film festival.

He says he'd repay taxpayers if he had the money.