WASHINGTON — Actor Kal Penn started a new job yesterday as a liaison between the White House and Asian communities.

The Indian-American actor is taking a break from Hollywood to work as an associate director in the Office of Public Liaison, with a focus on connecting President Obama with the Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities, as well as arts groups.

Penn had a recurring role on Fox's TV show "House" and starred in several films including "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" and its sequel, "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay."

DEL TORO VISITS PUERTO RICAN INMATES

BAYAMON, Puerto Rico — Actor Benicio del Toro met with convicts inside a Puerto Rican prison yesterday, offering encouragement to a jailhouse theater group and a few tips from his own Oscar-winning career.

The Puerto Rico-born actor interrupted his vacation in the U.S. Caribbean territory for the talk at Bayamon Regional Prison outside the capital, San Juan.

"I believe everyone needs a second chance," del Toro told about 30 inmates who take part in the theater group. "I am here to help reaffirm that as long as there is life, you can still help society in some way, you can improve yourself."

COOK'S HALF BROTHER INDICTED FOR STEALING

WOBURN, Mass. — Dane Cook's half brother has been indicted on additional charges that he stole more than $11 million from the comedian, prosecutors said yesterday.

Darryl McCauley, 43, allegedly wrote company checks to himself and transferred funds into his personal bank accounts while being paid $12,500 a month to serve as business manager for Cook's company, Great Dane Enterprises.

A Middlesex grand jury indicted him late last week on 20 new counts of larceny of more than $250 for allegedly stealing from Cook between March 2004 and December 2008. He had pleaded not guilty in March.

'THREE'S COMPANY' STAR CITED FOR DUI

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — An actress who starred on the hit television series "Three's Company" has been arrested in Southern California and cited for drunken driving.

Police said Joyce DeWitt, 60, who played the character Janet Wood on the popular show, was pulled over Saturday afternoon after she drove past a barricade near a park in El Segundo.