Prison release for ‘Situation’ soon
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — “Jersey Shore” cast member Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino is about to regain his freedom.
The Federal Bureau of Prison’s website says the reality television star is scheduled to be released from prison in Otisville, New York, on Thursday. His publicist confirmed his pending release to NJ.com.
Sorrentino has served about eight months for tax evasion. He and brother pleaded guilty last year to tax offenses related to nearly $9 million in income. Marc Sorrentino was sentenced to two years.
At his sentencing last fall, The Situation told the judge that he was trying to overcome years of drug and alcohol abuse.
The Situation appeared on all six original seasons of the reality show from 2009 to 2012, chronicling the lives of rowdy housemates in the town of Seaside Heights.
Daniel Johnston died on Wednesday
HOUSTON (AP) — Daniel Johnston, a quirky folk singer-songwriter and visual artist whose offbeat career and struggles with mental illness brought him a cult following and inspired a documentary film, has died at age 58.
According to a statement issued by his family, Johnston died of natural causes Wednesday morning at his Houston-area home. His brother, Dick Johnston, says Daniel had been plagued for years with health issues.
Musicians such as Kurt Cobain and Tom Waits, as well as “The Simpsons” creator Matt Groening, are among those who have expressed a fondness for Johnston’s work.
Johnston’s struggles with manic depression formed the heart of the Oscar-nominated 2005 documentary “The Devil and Daniel Johnston.” His songs often contained innocent pleas for love and bore titles such as “Life in Vain,” “True Love Will Find You in the End” and “Walking the Cow.”
Reality star pleads guilty to assault
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Reality television star and ex-South Carolina treasurer Thomas Ravenel has been fined $500 after taking a plea deal to charges he assaulted a former nanny.
Ravenel was initially charged with misdemeanor second-degree assault and battery after the nanny said the former “Southern Charm” star dropped his pants and fondled her at his Charleston home in January 2015.
Ravenel pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and battery. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail, suspended if he pays a $500 fine.
WCSC-TV reports Ravenel said in court Wednesday he tried to kiss her and grabbed her arm, and he was wrong. Prosecutors say the woman agreed to the deal.
Bravo took Ravenel off “Southern Charm” after his arrest.
Ravenel pleaded guilty to cocaine charges in 2007 and resigned as state treasurer.
