Richard Hatch, who won $1-million in the debut season of the United States reality television programme Survivor, was sentenced on Tuesday to four years and three months in prison for failing to pay income taxes on his reality TV prize and other earnings.
In addition to the prize, Hatch (45) of Newport, was convicted in January of evading taxes on the $327 000 he earned as co-host of a Boston radio show, and on $28 000 in rent on property he owned. The charges carried a maximum of 13 years in prison.
Hatch claimed he thought the show’s producers would pay his taxes and pleaded ignorance about money matters, saying he forgot to tell his accountants about some income.
Survivor sparked a reality TV craze in the US that earned CBS a ratings hit and made Hatch one of reality TV’s most famous villains. He also became known as ”the fat naked guy” — a term coined by TV talk show host David Letterman — for refusing to wear clothes for much of the show. — Sapa-AP