Breaking news out of New Jersey: Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino has been indicted on tax fraud charges after prosecutors allege he failed to properly report the $8.9 million in income he earned over his career. $8.9 MILLION. THE SITUATION MADE $8.9 MILLION.
From the Star-Ledger:
“Michael and Marc Sorrentino filed false tax returns that incorrectly reported millions made from promotions and appearances,” U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said. “The brothers allegedly also claimed costly clothes and cars as business expenses and funneled company money into personal accounts. The law is absolutely clear: telling the truth to the IRS is not optional.”
The Situation has been charged with two counts of filing false returns and one count of conspiracy, each with a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine, for, among other things “fail[ing] to pay federal taxes on income generated by two companies” and “buying high-end cars and clothes for personal use and writing them off as business expenses.” He is also alleged to have not filed a return at all in 2011, which could tack on another year in prison and a $100,000 fine. This brings us to a grand total of $850,000 in fines and a smooth decade behind bars, should prosecutors seek and get the max, as unlikely as that is.
So, the two big takeaways here: 1) Pay your taxes. Always pay your taxes. Every year. The IRS does not play around. Ask Wesley Snipes and Al Capone. And 2) THE SITUATION MADE $8.9 MILLION. I will never get over that.
