Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino’s brothers are Marc Sorrentino, who managed Mike’s career and served two years in federal prison for his role in a tax fraud scheme that also sent Mike to prison for eight months, and Frank Sorrentino, who later changed his name to Maximo and is now estranged from Mike after a 2014 assault arrest and a 2021 police call at Mike’s home. The two relationships followed very different paths: one ended in a joint federal prosecution, the other in public accusations of addiction and harassment.
Marc Sorrentino and the Federal Tax Case
Marc served as Mike’s manager and helped run the business side of his brother’s Jersey Shore fame. The two ran entities including MPS Entertainment LLC and Situation Nation Inc.1U.S. Department of Justice. Michael Situation Sorrentino and His Brother Marc Sorrentino Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Offenses In September 2014, a federal grand jury in New Jersey indicted both brothers, alleging they had failed to properly pay taxes on roughly $8.9 million Mike earned between 2010 and 2012.2IRS. IRS Criminal Investigation Press Release Both initially pleaded not guilty.3ABC7 New York. Mike the Situation Sorrentino and Brother Plead Not Guilty in Tax Fraud Case A 2017 superseding indictment expanded the charges, adding tax evasion and structuring counts against Mike and an obstruction count against Marc tied to alleged reclassification of company payments after grand jury subpoenas were issued.
On January 19, 2018, both brothers pleaded guilty. Mike pleaded to one count of tax evasion, admitting he had concealed income for 2011 and made bank deposits under $10,000 to avoid IRS reporting requirements. Marc pleaded to one count of aiding in the preparation of a false and fraudulent tax return, admitting he had willfully given his accountants false information for 2010, 2011, and 2012.1U.S. Department of Justice. Michael Situation Sorrentino and His Brother Marc Sorrentino Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Offenses
The Sentences
U.S. District Judge Susan D. Wigenton sentenced the brothers on October 5, 2018, in Newark federal court. Marc received the heavier sentence: 24 months in prison, one year of supervised release, and a $7,500 fine, with restitution to be determined later. Mike received eight months in prison, two years of supervised release, 500 hours of community service, a $10,000 fine, and $123,000 in restitution he had already paid.1U.S. Department of Justice. Michael Situation Sorrentino and His Brother Marc Sorrentino Sentenced to Federal Prison for Tax Offenses The gap reflected what each admitted to: Marc’s conduct spanned three tax years and included lying to accountants, while Mike’s plea covered a single year.
Mike surrendered to the Federal Correctional Institution in Otisville, New York, on January 15, 2019.4People. Mike Situation Sorrentino Posts Photo of Prison ID Card He was released on September 12, 2019.5ABC7 New York. Mike the Situation Released After 8-Month Stint in Jail Marc has since publicly backed Mike in the family’s other disputes.
Frank “Maximo” Sorrentino and the Estrangement
Mike’s older brother Frank, who later changed his name to Maximo, took a very different path in the family story. The two co-owned a Boca Tanning Club location in Middletown, New Jersey, and appeared together on reality shows including TV Guide Network’s The Sorrentinos and WE tv’s Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition.6Asbury Park Press. Mike Sorrentino Calls Police on Brother
The 2014 Tanning Salon Fight
On June 17, 2014, Mike was arrested at the family’s tanning salon after a physical fight with Frank and was charged with simple assault. Media coverage focused on Mike’s black eye, though Mike later said his mother, Linda “Peaches” Sorrentino, had accidentally hit him while she and their sister Melissa tried to break up the fight. Frank said he would not press charges. The brothers did not speak for a week, and Mike blocked Frank on Twitter.7ABC News. Mike Situation Sorrentino Reveals Mother and Brother Gave Him Black Eye
The Name Change and Coming Out
In 2016, Frank came out as gay to his family on the premiere of Marriage Boot Camp: Reality Stars Family Edition, and around this period began going by Maximo. Mike said publicly he “celebrated the first minute that it happened” and gave his brother a plaque reading “I’m proud you’re yourself.” Marc reacted less supportively on camera, reportedly referring to Maximo as a “frail male.”8E! News. Mike the Situation Sorrentino Sounds Off on His Brother Coming Out as Gay
The 2021 Police Incidents
By 2021, the relationship had broken down. Mike filed a harassment claim against Maximo in July 2021, and the Holmdel Police Department put Maximo on notice that he was not permitted on Mike’s property. That September, Maximo showed up unannounced at Mike’s Holmdel home in the evening, reportedly to drop off birthday gifts for Mike’s infant son, Romeo Reign. According to a representative for Mike, Maximo rang multiple doorbells, peered through glass, and lingered before leaving. Mike called the police. Officers told Maximo he was not permitted to visit without an invitation and allowed him to leave. Mike chose not to press charges or seek a temporary restraining order, saying he did not want to cause his brother “pain.”9People. Mike the Situation Sorrentino Explains Calling Cops on Estranged Brother
Mike framed the police call on Instagram as “tough love” and said he was “prioritizing the health and safety of your wife and newborn baby.” He publicly attributed Maximo’s behavior to “mental illness from long term meth addiction” and said the entire family, including their mother Linda, had blocked Maximo because he refused to seek help. Mike pointed to his own six years of sobriety as context. Marc backed Mike on Twitter, writing, “Great job! What’s right is right and always come to light!”10Page Six. Mike Sorrentino Defends Calling the Police on Brother Maximo6Asbury Park Press. Mike Sorrentino Calls Police on Brother
Maximo disputed parts of the account. He denied that a restraining order or a prior harassment complaint existed and said police later contacted him to apologize for the confusion. He said the gifts intended for Romeo would be donated to CASA of Monmouth County.11NJ.com. Mike the Situation Sorrentino’s Brother Miffed That Jersey Shore Star Called Police on Him He also said he was consulting legal counsel about a possible defamation suit against Mike over the public claims about his substance use.12NJ.com. Mike the Situation Sorrentino Defends Calling Cops on Brother No reporting has confirmed whether that lawsuit was ever filed. Maximo said his only intent that night was to drop off a gift for his nephew, and he expressed sadness that police had become involved.6Asbury Park Press. Mike Sorrentino Calls Police on Brother
The Wider Sorrentino Family
The Sorrentino siblings include Mike, Marc, Maximo, and their sister Melissa. Their parents, Frank Sr. and Linda, are divorced.13NBC News. The Situation vs. His Dad: It’s War Mike’s relationship with his father has also been contentious. In 2011, Frank Sr. launched a website called TheConfrontationSite.com, where he posted videos attacking his son and said Mike had abandoned the family, and he announced plans for a tell-all book titled Confrontation with Situation.14New York Post. Dad Rips Into the Situation in Videos on His Web Site Mike’s company, MPS Entertainment, sued Frank Sr. for $75,000 in the Southern District of Florida, alleging copyright infringement and unauthorized use of Mike’s name and likeness, and seeking to take the website down.15CBS News. Mike the Situation Sorrentino Sues Father