Before Mike Sorrentino was sentenced to eight months in prison, he admitted before the court that he will “forever regret” the charges against him, RadarOnline.com can exclusively reveal.
The Jersey Shore star stood before the judge in a Newark, New Jersey courtroom with a typed up letter to apologize for his wrongdoings.
“I am deeply sorry,” he said. “I will forever regret the decisions I made.”
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Sorrentino, 36, who struggled with alcohol and addiction issues during the time the crimes were committed, explained how he has tried to become “a best version” of himself.
“I overcame my demons in 34 months,” he said. “I was in almost a full year of treatment. I lost everything in a short period of time. I was immature. Everything came overnight.”
He then explained how he now lives with “integrity,” as he doesn’t smoke, drink, do drugs, lie, cheat or “even speed anymore!”
As the courtroom took a moment to laugh at his quip, he continued, “I have a new team of professionals helping me. I work at two rehabs to share my story. I volunteer at the police department. I warn kids of the dangers of substance abuse. I want to continue to be a positive role model in my community.”
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But the heartfelt letter wasn’t enough, as Sorrentino was sentenced to 8 months in prison.
“We’re disappointed. We hoped for probation,” attorney Henry Kingeman told reporters after the court hearing. “But the judge gave her reasons. It’s a sad day.”
He added how his client “righted his life.”
“That progress has been interrupted,” he said. “But this doesn’t set him back.”
Earlier in the courtroom, Kingeman claimed his client is a “redemption story.”
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“When he committed the offenses, he did so with drugs and a serious addiction,” he said. “He is clean and sober. He has become an evangelist. The Long Branch police department called Mike to speak to a high school about the dangers of opiate addiction. He has made a remarkable journey. He is the redemption story we love to see.”
Sorrentino’s former manager and brother, Marc, 39, received two years in prison for his part in the tax evasion crimes.
The Federal Grand Jury indicted Mike and his brother Marc for failing to pay taxes on $8.9 million of income in September 2014. They were also accused of filing false tax returns with the IRS in relation to Mike’s businesses. The Situation was hit with more charges of tax evasion and structuring funds to evade currency-transaction reports in April 2017.
Stay with Radar for more on the court hearing.
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