Posted on 01/25/2006 11:06:28 AM PST by NormsRevenge
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Richard Hatch, the "fat naked guy" 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.
Hatch 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. But he was acquitted of seven bank, mail and wire fraud charges. Jurors deliberated for less than a day after more than a week of testimony.
Hatch, 44, of Newport, faces up to 13 years in prison and a fine of $600,000.
One possible explanation for Hatch's failure to pay taxes was raised by his lawyer toward the end of the trial but was never mentioned in the jury's presence.
Hatch's lawyer, Michael Minns, said Hatch caught fellow contestants cheating and struck a deal with producers for the show to pay his taxes if he won. But, ultimately, 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.
Richard Hatch, who won the television program 'Survivor,' departs federal court during jury deliberation, in his tax fraud trial in Providence, R.I., Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006. Hatch is accused of failing to pay taxes on the $1 million he won on the hit CBS reality show, as well as on other income. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
isn't he the gay one?
I guess he'll have a real SUVIVOR test in the Big House ... especially since he likes to "catch" instead of "pitch".
Richard Hatch holds his $1 million dollar check, Aug. 25, 2000. (AP/Damian Dovarganes)
The way Chris Matthews misreports, he'll have this being "Orrin Hatch" before his show is over, with some Dim talking head being the AMEN chorus.
Probably only one of the very few that is not now currently trying to secure a multi-year supply of "soap on a rope."
I'm sorry, I couldn't resist......
How would that explain his failure to pay taxes for the Boston radio gig?
This line would work in Massachusetts...if your name was Kerry or Kennedy.
While i'm not surprised the government is making someone pay taxes; i thought the argument was he made the money in a foreign country, not because producers agreed to pay his taxes for him.
This guy was screwed from the beginning...taking it all the way to court was stupid.
We have learned that gay Hatch does better taking it than giving it.
Surprising that this would happen. The Feds want their taxes immediately and take their cut even before you collect your winnings. And then if you overpaid, you file later for a refund.
Mr. Hatch had best wear a few more clothes when he checks into the crowbar motel. Unless, of course, he wants to win the Miss Congeniality award.
Survivor ping!
Hey ... he can even get married in a Rhode Island prison, can't he?
He was taken into custody immediately because he's considered a flight risk. I love it!
Wasn't the original Survivor filmed outside the country? Maybe there was no need to withhold on a prize won for services rendered overseas.
Anyway, the tribe has spoken.
You are correct. Make sense.
But I bet customs would have loved to know about the winnings.
Probably too simple and a lot more complicated. But it explains how he was able to avoid the up front income taxes.
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