One former cast member faces charges much more serious than public intoxication, however. Mike "The Situation" Sorrentino was arrested in the fall of 2014 on charges that he did not pay taxes on almost $9 million in income. Sorrentino's defense attorney recently told a federal court that he no longer wants to defend the "Jersey Shore" star, claiming he hasn't been paid.
The reality TV star faces up to 11 years in federal prison on charges that he failed to accurately report his income and pay required taxes.
An article in Forbes late last year provided some insight into the dire situation The Situation finds himself in. Sorrentino's former tax preparer has agreed to plead guilty to charges that he prepared fraudulent tax returns for Sorrentino and Sorrentino's brother (also charged in the case).
According to Forbes, Mike Sorrentino has pleaded not guilty to accusations that he conspired to defraud the United States, failed to file a 2011 tax return and two counts of filing false tax returns. His brother faces similar allegations.
In many similar cases, people who suspect they are under investigation can work with defense attorneys experienced in negotiating with the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Justice, and avoid indictment.