Richard Hatch – Win Survivor and Go To Jail for Tax Evasion
Richard Hatch was a creative, weird schemer who won the first season of Survivor. Then he met his match in the IRS and was convicted of tax evasion. He now survives in prison.
Survivor was probably the first reality show to really develop a following of mad enthusiasts. The first season was so gripping that it was hard to turn away. The figure that made it so compelling was Richard Hatch, a corporate trainer who was so manipulative it was amazing. Hatch, a gay man, formed an alliance with Rudy, a homophobic former Navy man. That should tell you all you need to know.
As is well known by now, Hatch worked the show in every direction and eventually was victorious. He was paid $1,010,000 by CBS. He also made money for appearing on various radio shows and media events in excess of $300,000 following his victory. For some reason, he decided not to report this money on his tax returns despite the rather obvious fact he was one of the most watched people on television. Perhaps he thought IRS agents didn’t watch Survivor!
On September 8, 2005, Hatch was indicted in a federal court in Rhode Island on a host of tax charges including evasion. The trial proceeded in January 2006. As his defense, Hatch tried to claim that he though CBS had paid the taxes on the money. He offered no defense to the other money he had earned and failed to report. The jury wasn’t buying his act and he was convicted on the tax evasion charges.
Hatch faced a potential 13 years in prison. He was sentenced to 51 months in jail to be followed by three years of supervised release. Hatch subsequently filed a host of appeals, which were all denied. He then asked the United State Supreme Court to review the matter, but the court declined. Hatch is scheduled to be released in October 2009.