The first ever winner of CBS’ Survivor has appealed his tax evasion conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Richard Hatch was convicted of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million prize on Survivor in 2000. He was sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. He had previously appealed his conviction to the United States Court of Appeals and lost.
But now he’s going big time… He has filed an appeal with the Supreme Court. Hatch’s lawyer, Michael Minns, claimed that the judge improperly prevented him from testifying about a reported conversation that he reportedly had with the producers of the show. Hatch claims that he confronted producers about alleged cheating on the show and was rewarded for his silence with a promise that his taxes would be paid if he kept quiet and went on to win the competition. CBS, of course, disagrees with that version of the events.
It’s worth noting that the Appeals Court found that Hatch was given several opportunities to testify about the alleged deal with CBS to pay his taxes, but he never did. The court ruled that “[t]he failure of Hatch to present any evidence of such conversations when invited by the court strongly suggested that no actual promises were made, and no such ‘deal’ actually existed.”
Hatch also was convicted of tax evasion charges stemming from failing to report over $300,000 in earnings as co-host of a Boston radio show and almost $30,000 from rental properties. I’m guessing CBS didn’t agree to pay those taxes.
I don’t expect that Hatch’s case will actually be reviewed by the Supreme Court. They only take a small number of the appeals they receive and I can’t see where this case has any special merit that would attract their attention. But, hey, I could be wrong.
Not surprisingly, Hatch has turned author in jail. He’s writing about “his experiences with the legal system and his disappointment not just with the problems that he suffered but with the problems other people have suffered that he has met.”
Another book from a jailed/troubled “celeb” (I use that term loosely). Yawn. Would you read it?
No. But Mike might.
He should have to pay taxes like everyboby else.
Richard should have to pay taxes like every boby else!!!