Jersey Shore‘s Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino served his time behind bars — so what does he think about Todd and Julie Chrisley receiving an early release?
“I can definitely relate to some of this story as I’ve spent eight months in prison for tax evasion. I also got two years of probation, 500 hours of community service and I completed everything including restitution,” Sorrentino, 42, told TMZ on Thursday, May 29. “For them to get released early, for me, that is good for the families.”
Sorrentino said he’s glad Todd, 56, and Julie, 52, are now “reunited with their loved ones,” adding, “I am not sure that anyone who hasn’t been in these shoes can really relate. I can definitely see there might be a little bit of outrage. But for me — someone who actually did prison time — I am not mad at it.”
In September 2019, Sorrentino was charged for failing to pay nearly $9 million in taxes. He completed an eight-month prison sentence for tax evasion. Todd and Julie, meanwhile, were indicted in 2019 on charges of tax evasion, bank and wire fraud and conspiracy. After being found guilty in 2022, Todd was sentenced to 12 years in prison. His wife received a seven-year sentence. The couple maintained their innocence and continued to appeal their sentences, which were reduced in September 2023 by nearly two years.
Todd and Julie were released on Wednesday, May 28, after President Donald Trump pardoned the former reality TV stars.
“My parents have not spoken to each other, heard each other’s voices or seen each other in the past two and a half years,” Savannah Chrisley told reporters outside the Pensacola, Florida, prison where Todd had been incarcerated since 2022. “Their 29th wedding anniversary was May 25, so we’re only a few days out from that. So when they reunite, we’re going to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, Christmases, all the things, because we’re going to make up for lost time.”
While some fans have questioned the decision to release Todd and Julie before they served their full sentences, Sorrentino noted that he “would have accepted” a pardon if he was offered one at the time.
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“But I wouldn’t go back and get a pardon because it made me a better man,” he added. “[Still], you gotta stay in your own lane and run your own race. When you get sent away to prison, it is not a good situation for yourself but the families. They get sent away as well to a certain extent and it is so very sad.”
He concluded: “I can see that aspect because I have had my freedom taken away from me. It was very detrimental to my family.”
Todd and Julie were able to reunite on Thursday, with Savannah sharing a glimpse of her parents together via her Instagram Story. A press conference is set to take place in Nashville Friday, May 30, to address the couple’s release.
