NEWARK, N.J. – Michael "The Situation" Sorrentino, whose "Jersey Shore", has been sent to prison for cheating on his taxes.

Marc Sorrentino has received a two-year sentence on a similar charge.

Both brothers pleaded guilty in January. They were charged with $ 9 million in income.

Michael Sorrentino's attorneys had sought probation, while prosecutors wanted a sentence of 14 months. He is free on the lease until he has to report; it's not been determined where he'll be incarcerated or when the term begins.

The Situation declined to the courthouse with his fiancée, whom he is scheduled to marry next month, his attorney said. Other "Jersey Shore" cast members who attended the sentencing also did not comment afterward.

In a statement to the judge before sentencing, Sorrentino apologized for his conduct and said he is "overcoming my demons and putting my life back together" after years of alcohol and drug use.

"Today I'm a man that I should have been years ago," he told U.S. District Judge Susan Wigenton.

Attorney Henry Klingeman portrayed Sorrentino as the son of an abusive father who suffered from substance abuse and low self-esteem before he "rocketed to celebrity and rich" on the MTV reality show that followed a group of boozing, rowdy housemates at the New Jersey shore.

Prosecutors painted a contrasting picture. While conceding the situation may have played a greater role in the tax scheme than his or her accountant Gregg Mark – who also has pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing – they noted he had the presence of mind to less than $ 10,000 so as not to trigger federal reporting requirements.

"This was a deliberate race of criminal conduct with a blatant disregard for the law," Assistant U.S. Attorney Yael Epstein told the court.

Michael Sorrentino pleaded guilty to one of tax evasion and admitted to receding his income in 2011 by making cash deposits that would not trigger federal reporting requirements. Marc Sorrentino pleaded guilty to one count of assisting in the preparation of a false return.

In pronouncing sentence, Wigenton commends Michael Sorrentino for his progress in overcoming substance abuse but stressed that his actions in the conspiracy were made knowingly.

"With celebrity comes responsibility," she told him. "Part of the cost of making money is taxing you." We all have to. "

John Tafur, head of IRS criminal investigations in Newark, called the brothers' crimes "an outright theft from the hardworking American public."

The Situation appeared on all six seasons of the reality show that ran from 2009 to 2012. The cast members were known for their drunken antics and the phrase they used to describe their lifestyle: "gym, tan, laundry."

Republican train Gov. Chris Christie criticized the show for promoting stereotypes. Last year, he signed a bill for the amount of state money universities because Rutgers University paid "Jersey Shore" cast member Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi $ 32,000 in 2011.