Survivor Has-Been Hatch Back in Court

Reality star has a few debts he needs to clear up if he wants to stay out of prison

By Josh Grossberg Dec 15, 2010 9:02 PMTags
Richard HatchAP Photo/Steven Senne

UPDATE: On Jan. 10, 2011, a judge found that Hatch was in violation of his probation for failing to comply with the terms of his 2006 sentence and make good on filing his 2000 and 2001 tax returns. He now owes about $1.7 million on his $1 million Survivor winnings, though his sentencing will wait until the judge reviews written statements from both sides.

________

Richard Hatch will have to survive another go-round with the tax man if he wants to stay out of jail.

The ex-Survivor champ turned up in federal court in Rhode Island today to face down accusations that he violated his probation in his tax-evasion case.

So what did he allegedly do wrong?

Barry Weiner, spokesman for the U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services Office, District of Rhode Island, said that Hatch never filed amended returns for 2000 and 2001 and paid Uncle Sam its fair share of the $1 million prize money he won on the inaugural season of the CBS reality competition, as well as on thousands earned from various media-related activities the following year.

The former corporate trainer-turned-Tagi tribesman, who did not speak at today's hearing, previously served more than three years in a federal pen after being convicted in January 2006 on tax-dodging charges.

U.S. District Court Judge William E. Smith granted a request by his court-appointed attorney to delay proceedings until Jan. 10 to give her more time to review the case.

Hatch, who remains free on his own recognizance, is required to attend that hearing where, according to Weiner, "he'll either admit to the charges or deny the charges in which case the government will have to prove it."

If found guilty of the violation, the 48-year-old reality star could face a maximum of two more years in the Big House.