Richard Hatch Headed to Prison Yet Again

By Christine Fenno Posted Mar 12th 2011 11:21AM

One of the standouts on the new season of Donald Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice' is in very hot water.

Learning his IRS lesson the hard way, original 'Survivor' champ Richard Hatch was ordered on Friday to return to prison to serve a nine-month sentence, says the Hollywood Reporter. A judge is punishing Hatch for (still) not paying taxes he allegedly owes on the $1 million prize (plus thousands for additional media appearances) he earned back in 2000 as the very first winner of CBS' hit series.

Hatch now owes approximately $2 million in taxes and penalties. He has vehemently proclaimed his innocence.

The 49-year-old Army veteran already served time behind bars for tax evasion, for more than three years. He was released in 2009, vowing that "whatever is owed, I will pay," but describing himself as "financially devastated."

At the time, he remarked that his years in jail "reduced my arrogance," but insisted he was persecuted by an overzealous prosecution that failed, according to Hatch, to overlook his sexual orientation. He told Matt Lauer, "My personal opinion: [The prosecutor] discriminated against me. I do believe that. I don't think you or anyone else could deny that we, as homosexuals, face discrimination."

Hatch is now under orders to surrender to U.S. Marshals by noon on Monday. District Court Judge William E. Smith slapped the TV personality with an additional sentence to take effect after prison -- 29 months of supervised release, with a requirement that 25 percent of Hatch's gross wages be paid to the IRS.

The judge scolded Hatch on Friday, "You can continue to proclaim your innocence. You don't have the option of engaging in this type of game or negotiation with the court. It needs to be a severe punishment. That's the only thing that will deter you in the future."

At the sentencing in Rhode Island, where Hatch resides, Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew J. Reich told the court Hatch "acted with deliberation" by failing to file "and did not make any effort to pay the amount he owed in taxes and penalties to the IRS."

U.S. Attorney Peter Neronha said in a news release, "The sentence imposed by Judge Smith, the maximum sentence allowed under the guidelines, sends the right message that regardless how hard you try to manipulate the system to avoid paying your taxes, in the end you will be held accountable."

Tags: apprentice, celebrity apprentice, richard hatch, survivor

Comments

(60)

Sunday 13 March

By Gloria Balogh

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Richard Hatch is so full of himself. I saw the first episode of Trump's show and Hatch made himself the first leader. He is rude and has a very abrasive personality , a know it all. It will be good to see him gone from the show.
As for Charlie Sheen, his brain is fried. The show was getting very stale long ago. How many episodes can show all the ways to degrade a human being ? I feel sorry for the young man and hope he can separate reality from the show's theme. I am done with that show and the all the reruns too.

By Scott

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You choosing not to pay your taxes and then being sent to prison for it has nothing to do with your sexual orientation. Stop demeaning real discrimination with this claims, dumb a**.

By tm

Well said!

By for the record

One of the standouts on the new season of Donald Trump's 'Celebrity Apprentice' NOW AT AN ALL TIME LOW is in very hot water.

Learning his IRS lesson the hard way, original 'Survivor' CHUMP Richard Hatch was ordered on Friday to return to prison to serve a nine-month sentence,

Tuesday 15 March

By Dan

If he has that kind of money, why didn't they just take it? Wesley Snipes didn't try to hurt anyone, but they gave him a sentence almost half of what an attempted murderer gets.

By dave

he should be glad he's gay and going to prison,that's like OPRAH going to a 24 hr. buffet!!

By braigno2

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ever noticed that "the IRS" when put together spells "theirs"

By YellowRose3218

Good riddance Mr. Hatch.
I hope you will enjoy your stay at the hilton.
I some how have the feeling you will.

By jz

I agree with you! Hatch should have been fired instead of David!

By porthos5ny

To Kennedy-
let me guess..your knuckles are dragging on the ground as you walk. NEANDERTHAL

Monday 14 March

By NANCY

The IRS is a bunch of bullies! How can you owe 2 million dollars in taxes on a ONE MILLION dollar prize?? Ridiculous if you ask me. Then, they keep prosecuting him and keep him from making any real money to repay them. He was scheduled to be on another Survior...the IRS blocked it. He is on Celebrity Apprentice...now all of a sudden, he has to go back to jail. Overzealous prosecution at the least. Prosecute some drug dealers or murderers instead. He did jail time already for these charges.

By Trish

I can't stand this guy. He is such a joke and dumb too. You don't win a lot of money on a tv show and not pay taxes on it. His ego is over the top and I am glad to see him go to prison again.

Monday 04 April

By JeffMan

Ya, I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt until he played the "it's because I am gay" card. Wow, what a loser.

By danielandrewdavi

So Hatch gets 5 years but pedophile child rapist Jeffrey Epstein gets probation and Pedophile Roman Polanski gets an Oscar? What about all the Wallstreet shyster from Leahman brothers and Goldman Sachs? NOT one was put in JAIL and they ruined the worlds economy but remain Billioanires!

Sunday 24 April

By SS

So when is Wesley Snipes going to serve his sentence? What is fair for one if fair for another.

Sunday 22 May

By Mwc

Hatch asked to be put back into prison, he was looking or a new friend

Monday 23 May

By Yarahh

Richard Hatch has about as much personality as a Snake. And talking to Mark .L. on the today show, What does he do but play the Homosexual card. Get a life Richard, Better yet get a Wife. :)

By Adriana

How can he owe 2 million in taxes if he only won 1 million. Of course he doesn't have the money. He was set up to fail imo.

Tuesday 24 May

By Ramon E. Balaguer Trujillo

Don't mess with God or God's people (Born Again Believers, Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastors & Teachers) & don't mess with the IRS or IRS' people (Federal Government Workers, Agents, Investigators, Auditors, Lawyers & Judges). Jesus said “Render unto Caesar (Gov.) the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things that are God’s” ... REBT.

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