Jersey Shore star Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino is going to be spending some time behind bars now that he has been sentenced in his tax evasion case.
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Mike will also be required to complete 500 hours of community service and pay thousands of dollars in fines.
The 36-year-old was sentenced in New Jersey federal court on Friday, with his fiancee Lauren Pesce by his side.
Not only was Mike's family sitting in the front row, but his Jersey Shore co-stars Jenni "JWoww" Farley and Vinny Guadagnino also reportedly sat in the courtroom while other cast members of the MTV reality show waited outside.
On Mike's way out of court, he allegedly held Lauren's hand and flashed all of his fans a peace sign with his fingers. As for Mike's brother, Marc Sorrentino, he was sentenced to two years in prison on Friday.
Back in January, Mike reportedly pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and Marc pleaded guilty to one count of aiding in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return.
The brothers were indicted in September 2014 for tax offenses and conspiring to defraud the United States after allegedly failing to properly pay taxes on $8.9 million in income from 2010 to 2012, according to People.
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More than two years following the initial indictment, the Mike and Marc were slapped with additional charges -- including falsifying records, tax evasion and structuring.
The Associated Press reported that Mike's attorney argued he should only receive probation because he played a minor role in the alleged conspiracy and has managed to overcome his substance abuse issues since his arrest. (Mike just celebrated 34 months of sobriety after two stints in rehab).
Prosecutors in the case, however, reportedly fought for a prison sentence of 14 months, arguing that Mike deserved a real punishment for tax fraud.
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Mike, who previously battled an addiction to prescription painkillers, starred on Jersey Shore until the original series wrapped in 2012.
"[I] worked so hard to turn my life around and be the best person I can be," Mike told People earlier this year.
"I did it, and good things came around. I've done everything in my power to better myself. I really feel that I'm in the best situation possible."
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The show's revival, Jersey Shore: Family Vacation, is currently airing its second season on MTV on Thursday nights at 8PM ET/PT.
When Mike entered the house, which basically serves as a nonstop party spot, he had already been sober for two years.
"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," he had told the magazine.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
