'Jersey Shore' star facing $8.9 million in tax fraud charges

This is indeed a situation: Former Jersey Shore star Michael ‘The Situation’ Sorrentino, along with his brother Marc, are facing a federal indictment accusing the brothers of not properly paying taxes on $8.9 million in income.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced that the brothers are expected to surrender to special agents of IRS-Criminal Investigation and United States Marshals today. Then they are expected to appear in federal court to face an indictment.

The office released a statement to EW.com saying the Sorrentinos are faced with one count of conspiracy to defraud, as well as three and two counts, respectively, of filing false tax returns for 2010 through 2012. Michael Sorrentino faces an additional count for allegedly failing to file a tax return for 2011. The extra income, the office said, was generated by The Situation’s “promotional activities.”

“Michael and Marc Sorrentino filed false tax returns that incorrectly reported millions made from promotions and appearances,” Fishman said in a statement to NJ.com. “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 32-year-old Sorrentino starred on MTV’s Jersey Shore for its meteoric six-season run which concluded in 2012. At one point, his annual income was estimated to exceed $5 million a year. The Shore stars went from earning about $10,000 per episode during the show’s second season up to about $100,000 per episode by season 4. Yet its income from endorsements and personal appearances that can be even more lucrative for well-known reality stars.