Mike ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino has pleaded not guilty to tax evasion.
The former ‘Jersey Shore’ star, 32, who has been indicted on two counts of filing false returns and one count of conspiracy, appeared in court in Newark, New Jersey today (24.09.14) alongside his brother Marc Sorrentino, who has also been charged with conspiracy to commit tax fraud, and they both denied doing anything wrong.
The siblings were released on a $250,000 bond and will be arraigned on October 6, according to gossip website TMZ.com.
Prosecutors also told E! News the 32-year-old reality TV star and his brother allegedly conspired to fail to pay federal income tax owed on income that the former MTV star had earned for "promotional activities" between 2010 and 2012, during which time he earned $8.9 million, and said they claimed more than $5,104,000 in "false" or "inflated" business expenses, including luxury cars, high-end clothes and "personal grooming expenses."
Mike has also been accused of failing to file a tax return in 2011 after earning $1.99 million that year.
Speaking before the hearing, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul J. Fishman said: "Michael and Marc Sorrentino filed false tax returns that incorrectly reported millions made from promotions and appearances. 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 pleads not guilty to tax evasion
