First Survivor winner could face 75 years in jail!

[LynneSin]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SURVIVOR_TAXES?SITE=DEWIL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Survivor' winner indicted on tax charges

ROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Richard Hatch, who won $1 million on the first season of the reality show "Survivor," was indicted Thursday for failing to pay taxes on his winnings from the CBS show.

Hatch faces 10 charges, including tax evasion, filing a false tax return, wire fraud, bank fraud and mail fraud. U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente said Hatch, 44, did not pay taxes on his "Survivor" prize, income from a radio show and rental income. The Newport resident also allegedly used donations to his charity, Horizon Bound, to cover personal expenses.

Prosecutors charged Hatch with two counts of tax evasion in January. He agreed to plead guilty, but backed out of the deal in March, saying he thought CBS was responsible for paying the taxes on his prize. CBS has said Hatch was well aware of his obligations to pay taxes on the money.

<<<<snip>>>>>
Hatch faces a maximum of 75 years in prison if found guilty on all charges. He also could face millions of dollars in fines.

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Personally I think they should toss him in jail for being such a dumbass but that's just me!

[NMMNG]

1. What a dolt

How could he think he could get away with that? He's not some anonymous Joe Schmoe who would blend in with all the other tax returns at the IRS. :crazy:

[Lone_Star_Dem]

2. He messed up big time.

I have a feeling he's not the type to have invested the money either.

He'll be paying that off for the rest of his life.

[Heidi]

3. You really think taxpayers should support him

to the tune of $30,000 or $40,000 per year, or however much it costs to maintain a federal prison inmate these days?

Why should this doofus be supported at taxpayer expense for x number of years? Put him on probation and give him a huge fine and garnish his wages, if necessary. Levy procedural costs against him, too.

[ahem]

5. I'm with you. And a nice amount of community service

to boot.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

11. Me too. There's no reason to lock him up. He's not violent.

He took money from the public. All they have to do is take it back with interest. There's too many people in prison already.

[no name no slogan]

19. Just make sure he keeps his clothes on

Richard Hatch nekkid == icky

[Clintmax]

4. He deserves to be thrown in jail...

:crazy:

[alarcojon]

6. Is he a repug?

This is definite "Top Ten Conservative Idiots" material.

[xmas74]

22. probably not.

He supports gay marriage so I'm thinking he's not Republican (but you never know). He's also an adoptive parent who is very public about gays and lesbians having the right to adopt.

[kick-ass-bob]

7. "he thought CBS was responsible for paying the taxes on his prize."

Ummm, when you got the check for $1M and no taxes had been taken out, how did you think CBS had taken care of it?

[Mizmoon]

8. That's the sort of thing you ask about ...

assuming is a baaaaaad idea when it comes to taxes.

[Yavin4]

10. Because When You Assume...

You make an "Ass" out of "U" and "Me".

[Enraged_Ape]

9. What an idiot. And this guy's a "business consultant"?

Stupid jackass. Bush will probably appoint him the new "hurricane czar"?

[northzax]

14. right...and CBS was responsible

for the taxes on his radio show as well, right?

[peekaloo]

12. Fine him and make him do community service.......naked!

[MadHound]

24. No, really, please don't n/t

[Deja Q]

26. Like this?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/1585742082/ref=sib_dp_pt/104-6608247-2231928#reader-link

Click on link for pic.

[DS1]

13. I hate it when the government does this shit

Yes, they got him on tax fraud for filing a fraudulent tax form, but to get him on mail fraud is fucking ridiculous - it's typical "We're gonna screw you one way or another" mentality. If it was filed electronically, they'd get him for wire fraud.

Mail fraud, IMO, is just not a legitimate charge in this case. How else do you file?

[LeftyDarthBrodie]

15. Well let's see how good a Survivor he is in prison

although sending non-violent offenders such as this guy to prison is fairly pointless. Taking the money is the punishment.

[BlueIris]

16. Mr. Hatch, I used to like you.

Now I think you're a goddamned moron.

[WeRQ4U]

17. Fines, fees, restitution and TONS of community service in my opinion....

Would be the best for this guy. Why put him in jail? I, for one, don't want to pay for him to be locked up with three squares in minimum security.

[miss_kitty]

18. I would have thought CBS paid the taxes

If I'd filled out a W4 form and received a W-2 in the mail by 31 January, the following year.

I am surprised they DIDN'T handle it that way.

[NV Whino]

20. Seems to me the IRS

takes their share before you get your share. wonder how this one slipped through.

[miss_kitty]

23. That's what I thought

game shows that give prizes instead of cash make people prove they can pay the taxes, I've heard casinos make people fill out a witholding form to collect big dollar amounts and I understand that this state (which has no state income tax) has winners of over $600 fill out witholding. So I don't get it. Oh well I never watch that show.
Haiku to Richard Hatch

So too bad so sad
Richard. You were big and nude
And now you are not

[xmas74]

21. I met someone who appeared on Survivor

(she was a final two contestant on one season and lives in my state). I met her about the same time that this story first came out and she said that the IRS is there at the finale party making sure that the proper amount of taxes are withdrawn from their prize money.

I don't know how he thought he could get away with it.

[Deja Q]

25. Didn't he write that book "101 Survival Secrets, how to make $1,000,000...

Here's #102, Richie: PAY YOUR BLOODY TAXES.