Forgive the most obvious pun in the history of writing, but it simply must be done.
And here it goes:
Mike Sorrentino officially finds himself in a bad situation.
As sorry as we are for going there, we’re guessing this Jersey Shore mainstay is even more sorry at the moment for having not paid his taxes back in the day.
He has been sentenced to eight months in jail as a result.
The MTV personality and his brother Marc were indicted in September 2014.
Then, in January of this year, they pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and actually faced a five-year prison sentence. (Marc was sentenced to 24 months in prison on Friday.)
Fast forward seven days to this morning and The Situation was accompanied to the courthouse by fiancee Lauren Pesce.
All the familiar Jersey Shore names — Jenni “JWoww” Farley, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi, Deena Cortese, Ronnie Ortiz-Magro, Vinny Guadagnino, Pauly “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio and Angelina Pivarnick — were all spotted on the scene as well.
So Sorrentino at least had plenty of support when he learned his fate.
On top of the eight-month prison sentence, Mike must also complete 500 hours of community service and was given $ 123,913 in restitution already paid, plus a fine of $ 10,000 that must be paid within 30 days.
The day before the sentencing, Snooki told Us Weekly that the cast was “hoping for the best,” adding of The Situation:
“He’s just such a good person. He changed for the better. He’s a totally different person. He doesn’t deserve this right now, but obviously you gotta get that done.”
Sorrentio and Pesce are allegedly planning a prison wedding at some point within the next year, as Mike tries to give himself something positive to look forward to in light of this news.
In pre-sentencing memos obtained by the Associated Press yesterday, Sorrentino’s lawyer argued he should receive probation, stating that the MTV star played a minimal role in the supposed financial conspiracy …
… and has worked diligently to overcome substance abuse in the time since his arrest.
Conversely, prosecutors asked for a jail sentence of 14 months, arguing that such time would send the message that “tax fraud will be met with real punishment.”
They also noted that Sorrentino’s substance addiction didn’t stop him from structuring cash deposits to avoid government scrutiny.
Sorrentino has been to rehab on two occasions to try and overcome this addiction.
Earlier this year, he told People Magazine that he has “worked so hard to turn my life around and be the best person I can be,” adding the following of appearing on Jersey Shore: Family Vacation Season 2.
“I had a very strong foundation for my recovery with over two years [sober] when I entered the house.
“But I did have to challenge myself to go out and film a whole season of Jersey Shore and have fun without alcohol — to show the youth out there that it is possible.”
The Situation’s status for Season 3 of this reality show revival is unknown right now.
But it isn’t looking good.