Is it just me or does anyone else secretly wonder whether Donald Trump phoned up the judge in the Richard Hatch matter and tipped him off as to where and what Hatch was doing? I just find the timing odd (and yes, it did cross my mind that the Donald had a conversation with God about Bret Michaels, too). Hatch, who is currently starring on “Celebrity Apprentice” (take both “starring” and “Celebrity” with a grain of salt here), has been ordered back to jail to serve a nine month prison sentence. You just can’t buy that kind of publicity – or maybe you can.
At any rate, it won’t be the first prison sentence for Hatch. He’s made not one but two appearances previously. This time, Hatch turned himself into U.S. marshals in Rhode Island to serve time as a penalty for failing to comply with the judge’s orders. He had been ordered to refile his 2000 and 2001 taxes and pay what he owed but he has not done so.
This, I don’t get. Even if you buy his story about why he didn’t report the $1 million prize for winning “Survivor” (and other income) the first go round, failing to comply with the judge’s orders three years later just doesn’t make sense. At the very least, Hatch could cough up the cash to wander down to his local retail tax prep store and file some back tax returns. And the IRS would, I’m sure, be willing to work with him on payment to avoid prison. Hatch clearly hated prison. Why, then, sign on for another stint?
As for his other gig, the whole reality television thing, the live finale of the “Celebrity Apprentice” will air on NBC on May 22. I guess it’s a safe bet to assume he doesn’t win?
How is it that Richard Hatch actually goes back to prison for failing to comply with the judge’s orders regarding his failure to pay taxes, and Marion Berry of Washington DC fame can continously thumb his nose at the IRS and the judge in the matter and he goes back to being a DC councilman?