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Loading ...‘Survivor’ Hatch says imprisoned because he’s gay
08.18.2009 1:49pm EDT
(Newport) “Survivor” winner Richard Hatch said in an interview broadcast Tuesday that he believes he was sent to prison because he’s gay, a claim the prosecutors in the case call baseless and delusional.
Hatch, speaking publicly for the first time since being released from prison to home confinement, told NBC’s “Today” show that he believes the judge in his tax evasion case discriminated against him. He also accused a prosecutor of misconduct.“I know without question that there are personal issues involved for the prosecutor. I don’t know why. The prosecutorial misconduct has been egregious,” he said.
When asked whether he believes that if he was heterosexual, he would not have gone to prison, Hatch replied, “I do believe that.”
In court papers filed earlier this year, Hatch complained of widespread prejudice in the justice system against gay people.
A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney’s office said Hatch’s claims are baseless, and in a court filing in May, prosecutors pointed out that Hatch offered no evidence to support a claim that he was prosecuted because he is gay.
Former U.S. Attorney Robert Clark Corrente – whose office oversaw the case – told WPRO-AM that Hatch is “delusional.” The judge in the case is now retired and could not immediately be reached for comment.
Hatch was convicted in 2006 of failing to pay taxes on his $1 million prize for the first season of the CBS reality show. He was given extra prison time for lying on the stand.
Hatch, 48, is due to be released from home confinement on Oct. 7, but has asked a judge to release him immediately for a variety of reasons, including because he was represented by ineffective lawyers.
He told the “Today” show that he has been financially devastated by his tax case.
So sad to see him be so lost in his delusions like that.
The only reason you went to prison is because you evaded taxes! Quit giving other gay people a bad name by screaming descrimination.
I think the punishment was not enough if you kill someone you should get life imprisoment bring him to texas we’ll make sure of it.
He’s in jail because he didn’t pay his taxes and he lied.
This is not to say that there was no chance that things might not have gone a bit smoother if he weren’t gay – hard to say on that point – but ultimately, he broke the law. If he’d paid his taxes, this wouldn’t have happened to him.
aw crap sorry I accidently posted this in the wrong story segment sorry my mistake ignore this monumental act of stupidity!!
Leona Helmsley must have been gay also, she went to prison for tax evasion. If not where’s the prejudice. If the producers told you they would pay your tax bill, and you didn’t get it in writing you were just as dilusional then as now!
What a delusional moron.
And why is this even being called ‘news’? Didn’t his 15 minutes of unearned ‘fame’ end sometime in 2004??
I remember some allegation by Hatch that the tv program had promised to pay the tax or some such. It’d be good to hear a complete telling of the story from all sides before making a decision about his character.
Is he kidding… you don’t pay your taxes, lie under oath, (not to mention his other tax problem)and your given extra time to pay, you don’t and pull the prejudice card, amazing. And really since when have you ever heard of a show paying the taxes on your winnings? What a joke. I’ll bet anything the shows and interviews he is doing are for cash.
Saying nothing about Hatch’s character, the juries agreed that he had failed to pay his taxes and that he later lied about it under oath.
He has no right to complain.
“It’d be good to hear a complete telling of the story from all sides before making a decision about his character.”
We already did, dear.
It was called his ‘trial’.
Delsusional is one way to put it. He really needs to get a life.
If he did not pay his taxes, his sexual orientation has nothing to do with it.
Yes, he deserved jail time for tax evasion. And for perjury. Hey, even Ms. “I’ll teach you how to make chili for 300 of your closest friends” and “I’ll show you how to decorate in shades of gray” got nailed. But let’s not forget a cigar loving Past President who perjured himself continually and didn’t even get a slap on the wrist. Oh, that’s right. A two-tiered system.
OMG Richard you are the reason that people give our community a bad name…not everyone is out to get the lbgt community for being what/who we are….you went to jail because YOU committed a crime! GROW UP!