Jersey Shore star Ronald "Ronnie" Ortiz-Magro's assault charge may jeopardize his ability to receive an Italian visa and be able to participate in MTV reality show's next season.
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Earlier this week, MTV announced it has ordered a fourth season of Jersey Shore that will be filmed in Italy this spring and air later this year. However, Ortiz-Magro may not be able rejoin the cast because he was recently indicted for assault for allegedly punching a man out in September 2009 while filming Jersey Shore's first season in Seaside Heights, NJ, RadarOnline reported.
"Persons who are currently in the criminal process can not by issued a Visa," a spokesperson for the Italian Embassy told RadarOnline.
"Any person applying for a Visa to Italy must have their case fully adjudicated."
But Ortiz-Magro's manager reportedly disagrees and believes 25-year-old will be able to travel to Italy since he hasn't been convicted of the charge yet.
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"We have plans for Ronnie to be part of season four of Jersey Shore and travel to Italy for the show," Matt Cohen told RadarOnline. "As of now, he is free to travel wherever he chooses and has a clean criminal record."
"Until he is actually convicted of a crime, he can go wherever he wants."
In addition, Cohen defended Ortiz-Magro's rights by placing him within the obvious context of the American legal system.
"As far as the pending criminal case, my client is innocent until proven guilty," Cohen noted.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski