Hatch loses tax conviction appeal

After yesterday's posting regarding the Wesley Snipes verdict (he avoided the most severe charges of tax fraud, but was sentenced for failing to file a return; the promoters of the tax denial scam were convicted of tax fraud), it seems appropriate to note that Richard Hatch, the first season Survivor winner, lost his appeal of his conviction and four year jail term on tax charges.   See the AP story at Contracosta.com; bbc.uk.

Hatch failed to pay taxes on his Survivor winnings ($1 million).  He claimed that the show made a deal to pay his taxes when he caught food being smuggled to other contestants.  But on appeal, he provided no proof, not even cross examining the show's producer when on the stand about it.

The court found against him on all three claims in his appeal.  He'll get out of jail sometime in 2009.