Jersey Shore’s ‘The Situation’ Indicted For Tax Fraud

Mike Sorrentino, also known as ‘The Situation’ from MTV’s Jersey Shore, and his brother and manager Marc were indicted for tax fraud on $8.9 million after filing returns that incorrectly reported their incomes and claimed business expenses on items which were personal purchases, including luxury vehicles and clothes.

Both pleaded not guilty and were released on $250,000 bail each. Their arraignment is scheduled on Oct. 6.

Between 2010 and 2012, the Sorrentino brothers earned the millions of dollars through their two companies, MPS Entertainment, LLC and Situation Nation Inc. The alleged false documents they filed understated the income from the businesses as well as their personal gains. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman claims the two funneled company money into their own accounts.

Jonathan D. Larsen, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation, has said in response to the indictment, “No matter what your occupation or status in life, if you attempt to cheat on your taxes for personal financial gain, you face real consequences, including criminal prosecution and a possible prison sentence.”

Mike Sorrentino is being charged for not filing taxes in 2011, a year in which he earned almost $2 million. He also faces two other counts of filing false returns while Marc faces a total of three counts of false returns.

The potential prison sentence for filing false returns is three years and the failure to file is one. The fines for the crimes include $250,000 for the former and $100,000 for the latter.

The most serious charge against the brothers is one count of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. If they are found guilty, they could face a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Christopher Adams, attorney for Marc Sorrentino, told ABC News, “The charges are fiction. And it’s unfortunate that the government is relying on the word of a disgraced accountant who is a proven liar.”

The only personal comment from Mike came from this quotation he posted to his Instagram account on Wednesday.

He has a point, but being charged with tax fraud is probably more foolish than the quotation originally intended.

Jersey Shore’s ‘The Situation’ Indicted For Tax Fraud