Here’s ‘The Situation’: The taxman cometh

Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino leaving a Newark, NJ. courthouse Wednesday, after being indicted for tax fraud. | AP Photo/Julio Cortez

Reality star Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino, who first gained fame on “Jersey Shore,” was indicted for tax fraud Wednesday. Both Sorrentino and his brother and manager Marc Sorrentino were charged with filing false U.S. tax returns on about $8.9 million in income from “promotional activities,” according to the federal filings.

According to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman, the brothers funneled company funds (including money from a tanning salon they owned) into personal accounts.

Mike Sorrentino also allegedly earned nearly $2 million in 2011, but did not file a personal tax return.

When “Jersey Shore” was flying high, Sorrentino reportedly was earning something on the order of $5 million from both show salary, multiple endorsement deals and personal appearance fees that ran between $15,000 and $50,000.

He also participated on “Dancing With the Stars.”

When MTV canceled “Jersey Shore” in 2012, Sorrentino was reportedly earning about $2 million for that final season, but quickly slipped into relative obscurity.