Hatch Survives Prison Broke and Upset

By PopEater Staff Posted Aug 18th 2009 11:55AM

Richard Hatch won the first season of 'Survivor,' taking home the million-dollar prize -- but would then spend four years in federal prison on tax-evasion charges after failing to pay taxes on his winnings.

The reality star talks to Matt Lauer on 'The Today Show' about being broke, life now and also proclaims his innocence. Watch the Interview Inside

"I'd say it reduced my arrogance," Hatch remarked on his prison sentence.

As for the charges, he claims he's innocent and says CBS promised to pay the taxes on the million he earned and that he was the victim of persecution.

"I know without question that there are personal issues involved for the prosecutor. I don't know why. The prosecutorial misconduct has been egregious. He told the court I didn't pay my taxes in 2000, and he told the court I haven't been cooperative. The IRS specifically contradicts that. I don't have a bill for 2000. I haven't even been assessed for 2000. And I've been fully cooperative," Hatch stated.

He promises to pay whatever amount the IRS levies on him.

"Whatever they assess, I'm going to pay. Whatever is owed, I will pay. I've to this day never had an assessment. There were other issues on those tax returns, as there would be on any American's return, that people would question."

How he will pay is another story.

"I'm financially devastated," he added.

Hatch continues to assert that he's innocent and that the prosecutor in his case discriminated against him.

"My personal opinion: He discriminated against me. I do believe that. I don't think you or anyone else could deny that we, as homosexuals, face discrimination," he said.

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Tags: richard hatch, RichardHatch, survivor

Comments

(136)

Tuesday 18 August

By toki

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for being gay my ass...he's played the race card in this instance its the queen

By brenda

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I don't know what our world is coming to, people are spending more time in prison because of not paying taxes...on their money they earned...than murders

Wednesday 19 August

By Carol

brenda,

Totally agree with you.

By Limoman

Well, IRS does send me a Tax Notice IF they recieved a #1099 or other Formed filed by whomever paid me..

I would assume CBS did so , so they could deduct taht $1 million they paid him

Thus He owed probably at least 36% or $360,000 In Fed taxes and probably another $50,000 or so in State Taxes..( maybe more), Initially, by april 15th of the following yr after he got it..

Now $410,000 for a Previously Poor Gay Guy hard to swallow ( Pun) I would think..and his apparent lack of paying attention to Details is apparent and living in LaLa Land..

I find it Hard To Believe that the Judge Would have Given him that Sentance if he felt he was being railroaded..

and He should have taken the offer given him prior to going to Court..

And I understand he has had a Reputation of Not paying His taxes previously..

By Pamela

Richard, I agree with every word you said about the criminal justice system in America. The prosecutorial misconduct in every court whether Federal or District court is beyond wrong. These criminal acts by the prosecutors should be punished by imprisonment. But of course that will never happen because they lie, cheat and steal for each other. My husband got 6o years to life for a crime he did not commit based soley on the lies entered into evidence by the prosecutor. Every American should be terrified of the criminal justice system in America, because in a blink of an eye, their own nightmare could begin. I thought the newly appointed Attorney General, Eric Holder was a HOPE to right these wrongs, but now I know, he has no real jurisdiction over what happens state to state. Prison is BIG business in America, scary, scary, scary !!!!!

By Keith

Hey Richard, you moron:

You don't get a tax bill and you don't get "assessed" for what you owe. You file a return stating what you earned and what you owe in taxes and then you pay that amount.

If you weren't such a moron, then you could have enjoyed the money that you won, after paying your taxes instead of blowing it all and then going to jail.

Did I mention that you are a Moron?

By jfitswim10

Hatch, you're full of it dude! You're using your homosexuality as an excuse to shirk your responsibility. I'm gay. You and others like you give the rest of us a bad name. You are arrogant, kniving and are attempting to be just as manipulative as you were on Survivor. The only thing that is showing through is your stupidity. Grow up and stop acting like a spoiled victim.

By Jules

He was annoying then (on the show) and still is now...boo hoo. Now it looks like he'll really have to learn how to be a "Survivor" in the REAL WORLD and stop using the gay card as an excuse besides his own arrogance and stupidity. He should have used some of his money to pay an accountant or even file with H & R Block, which isn't bad to use. Otherwise maybe prison was a vacation for him afterall, but at the tax payer's expense.

By Laughing

Mr Hatch does a great disservice to all gays when he claims he's being picked on because of his sexuality. Either the case was proved in court or it was not. At no point were the standards of proof waived because of his sexuality. Moron.

Wednesday 26 August

By brian

from first-hand experience, I know when my wife and I won $1000 in a reverse auction we signed tax papers on the spot. I agree with the person who wrote possibly there was some confusion between property taxes vs income taxes, but that may really be 'stretching' Mr. Hatch's position. Common sense has told us all for years there is no such thing as a free lunch. I wonder if the media is only reporting part of the story also to rile up media attention. And convicted felons have trouble getting a job flipping burgers now adays, due to routine criminal background checks. However, Mr. Hatch has paid his "debt" to society for this; he needs support/prayer to help reinvent
meaning in his life, not continued ridicule and verbal abuse.

By cozycall

Just keep flapping your gums you bum hole bandit and with any luck they will send you back for another stretch.

By Ginamaria

Randy, you're an idiot.

By ayumanbean

If you win a large amount of money in a casino they will take the taxes out for you and give you the rest.

By JL

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I attended business seminar conducted by Hatch before he was on TV. In fact, I never saw the show and only made the connection when I read about it in newspaper.

I have to say the guy was total arrogant jack ass. One of the worst corporate training seminars I've ever attended. He was actually being paid to treat people like trash.

I have no comment regarding his crimes or perfromance on TV. I have nothing positive to say about the man.

By Pete

Hatch, latch it.

By randy and shelly

there is a place on your tax return to disclose any winnings from lotteries or gambling. i suppose california's "federal" tax returns aren't the same as mine here in florida.

By Ludovico

HEY!1 RICHARD BABY YOU SHOULD HAVE CHARGED MONEY FOR YOUR "SERVICES" IN THE SLAMMER!1!! SCAMMER....

By D.J.

I AM SO "SICK & TIRED" OF THE "WHINERS OF AMERICA" I COULD S-C-R-E-A-M!!! EVERYBODY SHOULD JUST GO AHEAD AT "BIRTH" AND ANNOUNCE THAT THE REASON FOR EVERYTHING WRONG AND/OR BAD THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THEIR LIFE IS "BECAUSE OF THEIR M-O-T-H-E-R-S...OR "PARENTS"...THAT WAY, THE R-E-S-T OF THE WORLD WILL GET A "MUCH NEEDED B-R-E-A-K" AND THEY CAN JUST "PREPARE THEMSELVES TO BE "MISERABLE" FROM "BIRTH - ON"...AND "SHUT THE CRAP U-P"! WHAT AN ABSOLUTE "C-R-E-E-P", HERE!!!

By J Clark

That's what we've been saying. His being gay has nothing to do with the matter. He's a tax cheat and a fraud. We are agreeing with you!

By Taz

If being gay was a reason to put someone in jail then the cells would be overflowing. This guy is an arrogant idiot who blames everyone else for his stupid decisions. He decided not to pay taxes and paid the price so justice was done! This guy is a loser no matter how much money he won on that silly show!!!!!!!!!!

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