'Survivor's' Hatch Faces Jail, Fines in Tax Evasion Case

Richard Hatch might have been television's first “Survivor,” but the IRS has a different name for Hatch: alleged tax cheat.

The Associated Press reported that Hatch,

a resident of Newport, RI, was charged last week with failing to report his $1.01 million earnings from the show as well as some $321,000 he was paid by a Boston radio station for 2001 appearances.

Hatch, 43, was known on the show for his propensity for nudity, a habit that annoyed his competitors.

The U.S. Attorney's Office in Providence told the AP that Hatch received payments from Survivor Entertainment Group of $10,000 for appearing in August 2002 on the first season's final show as well as the $1 million prize for winning. The suit alleges he failed to report these and other earnings on his tax return. (Related item: Criminal information: U.S. v. Richard Hatch)

The Survivor star faces up to five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine for each charge, the AP reported, adding that calls to Hatch's Newport home went unreturned. He has signed a plea agreement and is due to be arraigned Monday in U.S. District Court in Providence.

Voice of the Editor

Even though any accounting auditor would tell you it seems like there are an awful lot of tax accountants out there, surely one-third of the country isn't made up of tax preparers, so it's rather startling news to learn that one-third of Americans like to do their taxes. Who knew?
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