Basher Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 What an idiot. 'Survivor' Hatch Guilty in Tax Case By RAY HENRY, Associated Press Writer Wed Jan 25, 8:19 PM ET Richard Hatch, who won $1 million in the debut season of the reality show "Survivor," was found guilty Wednesday of failing to pay taxes on his winnings and taken straight to jail. Hatch remained calm as the court clerk read the verdict. He waved goodbye to family members, then was handcuffed and taken into custody after U.S. District Judge Ernest Torres said he was a potential flight risk. The charges carry up to 13 years in prison. Torres said he expected a sentence of between 33 months and 41 months, but it could be longer because prosecutors accuse Hatch of committing perjury during his testimony. Sentencing was scheduled for April 28. Hatch, 44, was also convicted of evading taxes on $327,000 he earned as co-host of a Boston radio show and $28,000 in rent on property he owned. Hatch's lawyer, John MacDonald, said he would appeal the verdict, adding that Hatch knew it was possible he would go to jail. "Rich has been going through this now for three years and he's prepared himself mentally and emotionally for this date," MacDonald said. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Reich said prosecutors were pleased with the verdict. Torres said Hatch never accounted for a significant part of his money, including the "Survivor" prize, which he said could be used to flee. Near the end of the trial, an explanation for Hatch's failure to pay taxes was raised by his lawyer — but never mentioned in the jury's presence. Hatch's lawyer, Michael Minns, said Hatch caught fellow contestants cheating and struck a deal with the show's producers to pay his taxes if he won. But Hatch was never asked about the allegation when he testified. Instead, Minns told jurors Hatch was the "world's worst bookkeeper" and said his client never meant to do anything wrong. Hatch testified that he thought producers were supposed to pay his "Survivor" taxes, and said the donations he took from his charity were far less than the money he had already poured into it. One juror, Robert Paquette, said in a telephone interview the jury believed Hatch had legitimate questions about who was responsible for paying his "Survivor" taxes. But he said Hatch crossed the line when he didn't report income from his rental property and radio show. "Even if you take the `Survivor' money out of there, there was still a lot of evidence," Paquette said. Hatch was acquitted of seven bank, mail and wire fraud charges that related to his charity, Horizon Bound, an outdoors program he planned to open for troubled youth. Prosecutors claimed he spent the money on personal expenses, including tips to a limousine driver, dry cleaning and tens of thousands of dollars worth of improvements to a house he owned. More than five years after winning, Hatch remains reality TV's most famous villain, the man viewers loved to hate. He first captured their attention for shedding his clothes on "Survivor," prompting David Letterman to nickname him "the fat naked guy." But he made the biggest impression — and won the show — by scheming his way to the top. He reveled as squabbles among his fellow contestants thinned their ranks, connived with teammates to stick together, then pitted his allies against each other. Early on, he used his success on the show to get more work, including a "Got Milk?" ad and an appearance on "Survivor All-Stars" — where he was promptly voted off by fellow contestants. He also appeared on TV game shows, including "The Weakest Link." That appearance, made on behalf of Horizon Bound, netted a $10,000 donation to his charity — money prosecutors said was among the funds misused. But Hatch's shrewdness did not serve him well in the legal world. A year ago, prosecutors offered him a deal: plead guilty to two counts of tax evasion and they would recommend less than the maximum 10-year sentence. After initially agreeing, Hatch walked away, retaining Minns as his lawyer and appearing on NBC's "Today" show to claim that CBS was supposed to pay the taxes. Prosecutors responded with a grand jury, which indicted Hatch on 10 counts carrying up to 73 years in prison and millions of dollars in fines. During the trial, prosecutors called various witnesses, including "Survivor" executive producer Mark Burnett. Burnett testified that Hatch's "Survivor" contract stated he would have to pay taxes on his prize. Minns never asked him about the cheating allegation, and Burnett and CBS declined to comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 He looks like he's "ready" to go to jail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bradm Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I give him a week before the other prisoners vote him out of jail...Aloha,Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 !! Do they figure he's a flight risk because he made it through the first Survivor? I suppose you must hone a few useful skills in the process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baj Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I think he will like it in jail...considering he is gay.... ha ha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-towns Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 my point exactly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingstoned Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 dummy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr_Evil_Mouse Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 Awesome new avatar, C! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollie Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I think he will like it in jail...considering he is gay.... ha ha Yeah, the lame radio jocks couldn't resist going there this morning. Lord knows all gay men love to be raped in prison. Tee hee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livingstoned Posted January 26, 2006 Report Share Posted January 26, 2006 I see a theme here...thanks - I have to thank Esau for it....I can't take credit but it makes me giggle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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