“The Situation’s” Tax Fraud Situation
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino might be facing a different situation than he’s used to: tax fraud.
“The Situation’s” Rise to Fame
Sorrentino rose to fame with the rest of the notoriously bawdy cast of MTV’s “The Jersey Shore.” But the show’s end did not mean the end of Sorrentino’s career – he started amping up his persona and making money through paid appearances at nightclubs and bars, endorsing various vodkas and vitamin supplements, and guest-starring on other reality TV shows. In many ways he was able to parlay his persona of “The Situation” into an alleged $9 million.
Different Kind of Appearance
But it looks like Sorrentino is now had to make a different kind of appearance – an appearance in court to answer charges that allege he avoided paying $8.9 million in taxes. Sorrentino’s attorney, Richard Sapinski, of Newark, New Jersey, entered a plea of not guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the US; two counts of filing false tax returns for 2010 through 2012; and one count for allegedly failing to file a tax return for 2011.
Mike’s brother, Marc, who is also Mike’s manager was charged with one count of conspiracy and three counts of filing false tax returns.
Prison and Heavy Fines
Both Mike and Marc, if convicted, face years in prison as well as heavy fines. Conspiracy carries up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Filing a false tax return carries a maximum potential penalty of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each count. And failure to file a tax return carries up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. Currently Mike is out on $250,000 bail. The brothers’ arraignment in federal court is set for October 6, 2014.
Source: Forbes, Here’s ‘The Situation’: Jersey Shore’s Mike Sorrentino Indicted On Tax Fraud Charges, September 24, 2014
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