Photo: Elder Ordonez/Splash News
Mike “The Situation” Sorrentinois speaking out hours after his court sentencing.
On Friday night, theJersey Shorestarposted several photostaken outside of the Newark courthouse on Instagram and expressed his gratitude to be moving forward with the support of his friends and fiancéeLauren Pesce.
“We are very happy to put this behind us,” Sorrentino, 36, wrote alongside shots of him with hisJersey Shorecastmates and college sweetheart. “Thank you So much for all the Love & Support 🙏🏻”
Earlier in the day, Sorrentino wassentenced to eight months in prisonand two years of supervised release in his tax evasion case.
He must also complete 500 hours of community service and was given $123,913 in restitution, which he has already paid, plus a fine of $10,000 that must be paid within 30 days.
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Before he begins the eight-month sentence, Sorrentino’s lawyer told reporters on Friday that the reality star plans on marrying Pesce.
According to Attorney Henry Klingeman, the couple isplanning a wedding for early November, adding, “No matter what happens, he won’t be designated to begin his sentence until sometime after that wedding.”
Klingeman also expressed his disappointment regarding the verdict, arguing that his client should have received probation rather than prison time.
“We’re disappointed. We asked for a probation term, we had hoped for a probation term, we deserved a probation term,” he said. “The judge certainly had the authority to do what she did, she gave her reasons, the fact is it’s a sad day anytime anybody goes to prison, but in a situation like this, where Mike Sorrentino has righted his life and is contributing significantly to not only his own wellbeing but that of his greater community, that progress will be interrupted.”
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“Let’s hope that prison, which is an antisocial environment under the best of circumstances, doesn’t set him back,” Klingeman continued. “I’m sure he’s got the resiliency and the strength and the will and support of his friends and family so that he’s going to make the best of this.”
He also added: “The good news is that after so many years of investigation and this case being prosecuted, he can see the light at the end of the tunnel and he can put this behind him. He’s got a new lease on life career-wise, he’s about to get married, and he’s an optimistic person, so it’s going be fine.”
During the hearing, Sorrentino appeared to be in good spirits. When he left the courthouse, he walked out hand-in-hand with Pesce and silently threw up a peace sign with his fingers after a reporter asked him to give a message to his fans.
source: people.com
