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Mike “The Situation” Sorrentinohas been sentenced to eight months in prison and two years of supervised release in his tax evasion case.
He must also complete 500 hours of community service and was given $123,913 in restitution, which he has already paid, plus a fine of $10,000 that must be paid within 30 days.
The 36-year-oldJersey Shorestar appeared in New Jersey federal court on Friday alongside his fiancéeLauren Pesce.He seemed to be in good spirits as he awaited the judge’s ruling, with his family seated in the first row of the room. When he left the courthouse, he walked out hand-in-hand wth Pesce. As a reporter called out, “What do you say to your fans,” he silently threw up a peace sign with his fingers.
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Sorrentino and his brother Marcwere initially indictedin September 2014for tax offensesand conspiring to defraud the United States after allegedly failing to properly pay taxes on $8.9 million in income from 2010 to 2012. In April 2017, both menwere indicted on additional chargesincluding tax evasion, structuring and falsifying records.
In January, Sorrentinopled guiltyto one count of tax evasion. His brother Marc pled guilty to one count of aiding in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return and wassentenced to two years in prisonon Friday.
Prosecutors, meanwhile, sought a prison sentence of 14 months, arguing that jail time would send the message that “tax fraud will be met with real punishment” and noting that Sorrentino’s substance addiction didn’t stop him from structuring cash deposits to avoid government scrutiny.
RELATED VIDEO: Mike Sorrentino ‘Hoping for a Positive Result’ as Tax Evasion Sentencing Approaches
Six years and two stints in rehab later, Sorrentino told PEOPLE earlier this year that he “worked so hard toturn my life aroundand be the best person I can be.”
“I did it, and good things came around,” he said. “I’ve done everything in my power to better myself. I really feel that I’m in the best situation possible.”
Of reemerging into the public eye to film this year’sJersey Shore: Family Vacationreboot (now in its second season), Sorrentino said it “took a lot of hard work just to get there.”
“I had a very strong foundation for my recovery with over two years [sober] when I entered the house,” he said. “But I did have to challenge myself to go out and film a whole season ofJersey Shoreand have fun without alcohol — to show the youth out there that it is possible.”
source: people.com
