Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino Pleads Not Guilty to Tax Fraud Charges

Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino and his brother, Marc Sorrentino, were indicted for tax fraud in New Jersey on Wednesday. The government claims that the two brothers have been filing bogus tax returns on $8.9 million worth of earnings since 2010. According to the seven-count indictment, the brothers allegedly filed false documents that understated the amount of money that they were earning through their two companies, MPS Entertainment and Situation Nation. The government also alleges that the two claimed millions in business expenses when the purchases were actually for personal use. This reportedly included luxury cars and clothing. The brothers appeared at a US District Court in New Jersey, where they both pleaded not guilty and were released on $250,000 bail. Their arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 6, and, if they are found guilty, they could face up to three years in prison. A lawyer for Marc has maintained the brothers' innocence, saying that the two have been trying "for the better part of a year" to resolve the matter and that the government is relying "on the word of a disgraced accountant who is a proven liar."

The Situation famously starred in MTV's hit reality series Jersey Shore from 2009 to 2012. This isn't his first brush with the law, as he was charged with assault back in July after he got into a fight with his brother at the family's tanning salon. The Situation agreed to take anger management classes following that incident.