Until Mel Gibson's real arrest report leaked out, Steve Whitmore was not the most visible of law enforcement media handlers. Cindy Beavers with the San Bernardino County sheriff's and that guy in Orange County whose name I don't recall — but whose face I can conjure up — are more recognizable to me. Until this week, that is, when Whitmore has been called on to explain the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department handling of Gibson. A reader at Ron Fineman's On the Record noticed a resemblance and wondered if Sheriff Lee Baca's senior media advisor is related to the actor James Whitmore. Answer: Why yes he is, thanks. Fineman confirmed that Steve is the actor's son.

Readers come through — and fast: Jim Amormino is the OC sheriff's spokesman.