'The Situation' Indicted for Tax Fraud, Must Stay Sober
Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino was indicted Wednesday for tax fraud, and said he wouldn't get drunk or high until his trial is over.
The former "Jersey Shore" cast member was indicted by a federal grand jury along with his brother for filing fraudulent tax returns on nearly $9 million in income. To add insult to injury, in order for Sorrentino to be released on bail, he had to promise the court he wouldn't drink or do drugs while released.
What's going on with The Situation's latest legal situation?
Tax Fraud, No Fist Pump
While no one could accuse Sorrentino of having a flabby midsection, "The Situation" was federally indicted for tax fraud for allegedly intentionally filing false tax returns "to make it appear he was square with the IRS." Prosecutors also claim that Sorrentino was able to bilk the U.S. government out of $8.9 million in earnings -- some of which had to have been "Jersey Shore" box set money.
This probably isn't very good news for Sorrentino's new TV show on the TV Guide Network starring his family -- appropriately titled "The Sorrentinos." USA Today claims it will feature the "complex" relationships between Mike and his siblings -- other than fights outside the family's tanning salon.
Worse yet, NJ Advance Media reports that Sorrentino is facing 11 years in prison and $600,000 worth of fines for "filing false income tax returns from 2010 to 2012." Hope that Sorrentino changes his new GTL to "Gym, Tan, Lawyer."
Bail but No Booze
It's not uncommon for there to be conditions attached to a defendant's bail release, and Sorrentino has one tailored specifically to him. TMZ reports that as a condition of his $250,000 bond release, "The Situation" will be subject to random testing for drugs and alcohol.
Apparently the court caught wind of his spiral down into addiction in 2012, and they want to make sure he doesn't disappear on another bender.
Message to the bros out there: Pay your taxes, yo!
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Related Resources:
- 'Jersey Shore' star Mike (The Situation) Sorrentino, brother indicted on federal tax charges (New York Daily News)
- Lauryn Hill Sentenced to 3 Months in Prison for Tax Evasion (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- 'Real Housewives of N.J.' Couple Plead Guilty to Fraud (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- 'Real Housewives' Stars Indicted on Fraud, Conspiracy Charges (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
