Here's 'The Situation': Anger management 101

MIDDLETOWN – Reality TV star Michael "the Situation" Sorrentino could see assault charges against him downgraded pending the successful completion of anger management counseling.

Middletown municipal court judge Richard Thompson adjourned the case for 12 weeks after a brief appearance by Sorrentino, one-time cast member of MTV's Jersey Shore, in court Monday morning.

Sorrentino was joined in court by his family, including his brother, who he is accused of assaulting.

The charges against Sorrentino could be amended to a municipal offense, which would be equivalent to a noise complaint, and less than the disorderly persons offense he faces, if the counseling program is successfully completed, said Edward Fradkin, Sorrentino's attorney.

"We worked it out today. Ultimately, this is a squabble between brothers," Fradkin said. "His brother is here and his sister is here."

Sorrentino, 32, was arrested July 15 at the Boca Tanning Club, which he owns with his family in town. He was released at the time after posting $500 bail, according to police.

While police have declined to identify whom Sorrentino was fighting, the celebrity gossip website TMZ reported that the fight was between Sorrentino and his brother, Frank. Only minor injuries were reported, police said.

A heated Twitter exchange between the brothers around the time of the fight resulted in both brothers disclosing the phone numbers of the other, apparently out of spite.

During the brief court proceedings, Frank Sorrentino and his sister Melissa were identified as witnesses by Fradkin when he asked the judge for time to conduct discovery.

The anger management counseling will be conducted by a private therapist who will meet with Michael Sorrentino over the course of 12 weeks and report back to the court, Fradkin said.

Last month, four employees of the Middletown tanning salon filed a police report saying their paychecks had bounced. According to TMZ, Michael Sorrentino said it was an innocent error caused when the store changed payroll companies, and that each employee, owed between $100 and $200 each, was repaid. But Middletown Police Lt. Steve Dollinger said employee pay had been withheld for "an extended period of time' when his department became involved.

"We gave him some time to correct it or there would be criminal charges," he said. "They did correct that, and the employees have been made whole."

Sorrentino and members of his family, including mom, Linda, sister, Melissa, and brothers, Frank and Marc, recently filmed episodes of The Sorrentinos reality show at the salon. The series debuted on July 15 on TVGN, formerly the TV Guide Network.

The show is to focus on Michael's plight to deal with his fame and his continued recovery from addiction to painkillers, according to TVGN.

Michael Sorrentino spent a portion of 2012 in rehab.