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Hatch Wraps Testimony--No "Survivor" Bombshell
Richard Hatch better hope his immunity necklace works as well off the island as it did on.
Testimony in the original Survivor winner's federal tax-evasion trial wrapped up Monday with a whimper, as Hatch declined to make any bombshell allegations about cheating on the reality show.
Instead, Hatch simply said he decided not to pay taxes on his million-dollar winnings because he believed CBS would foot the bill.
The clothes-eschewing castaway contestant confessed that he had missed the deadline for filing his 2000 return the year he nabbed the six-figure prize, and he had received two letters from the IRS warning him of his oversight.
Hatch said that the letters listed several sources of income he had received during that year, but he insisted his Survivor bounty was not included. He testified Monday that he believed the omission meant someone else, namely CBS or show producers, was responsible for forking over the tax money.
Hatch said he drew this conclusion after several discussions with producers, fellow contestants and his accountant.
However, when questioned by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Vilker, Hatch acknowledged that the letters he received from the IRS came with a caution that the income listed may not be comprehensive.
Hatch further claimed that he attempted to contact the show's producers several times with tax questions, but they failed to return his calls.
The 44-year-old reality star failed to elaborate on any conspiracy theory as the reason for his unpaid tax bill. On Friday, while jurors were recessed, Hatch's lawyer told the judge that Survivor producers agreed to pay taxes on Hatch's winnings as hush money after he allegedly caught fellow contestants sneaking food on the show and threatened to go public.
Executive producer Mark Burnett took the stand earlier in the trial, but neither sides' lawyers questioned him on the purported cover-up. He did testify, however, that Hatch, along with all contestants, had signed a contract in which it was made clear they were responsible for paying taxes on any prize won.
(While Hatch didn't bring up the cheating on the stand, it has caused a stir outside the courthouse, with several former contestants denying the allegations. However, a former castmember and a crewmember, both speaking on the condition of anonymity, told TMZ.com that contestants would get candy bars and other snacks from cameramen.)
Before exiting the stand, Hatch also testified as to a separate charge of allegedly using money for himself that was earmarked for charity.
The prosecution claims that some of Hatch's personal expenses had been paid with a $25,000 donation meant for his charity, Horizon Bound. They claimed Hatch typed his own name onto the check so that he could deposit it into his personal account, though Hatch denied the claim and said his bank made the alterations, not him.
Should Hatch be found guilty of his all charges, he could face up to 30 years in prison.
Closing arguments are scheduled to begin Tuesday.
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