PROVIDENCE -- Once again the center of attention, reality television star Richard Hatch spent a long day on the witness stand in his tax-fraud trial today, asserting that he tried many times to find out how much he owed in taxes on his Survivor winnings and that he never intended to violate federal tax laws.
Starting the day looking relaxed and casual in a light-blue, button-down shirt and saying he preferred to be called "Rich," the Survivor winner appeared eager to tell his story. He frequently turned to make eye contact with the jury, used his hands to express himself and pointed out his mother, sister and "committed partner" sitting in the audience.
When asked by his lawyer, Michael Minns, if it had ever been his intention to violate federal tax laws, the Newport man who gained fame for winning the first Survivor in 2000 replied, "It has not."
But by late afternoon, prosecutor Lee Vilker started an aggressive, rapid-fire cross examination. In response to one of Vilker's questions, Hatch claimed that Vilker's "team" had previously lied to him and threatened him, an allegation that Chief U.S. District Judge Ernest C. Torres told the jury to disregard.
Hatch's survival skills will be put to test again Monday, when he returns to the witness stand for more cross examination. Vilker was about an hour into his questioning when Torres concluded the trial for the day at 4:30 p.m.
Vilker told Torres he would need a "couple more hours" before he's finished. Minns plans to call an accountant to the witness stand after Hatch's testimony is completed. The attorneys are likely to make their closing arguments on Tuesday.
A federal grand jury indicted Hatch on 10 counts in September, charging Hatch with failing to pay taxes on more than $1 million in winnings from the first Survivor, as well as income from a radio program, rental income and charitable donations he allegedly used for himself.
Hatch testified today that he intended to pay taxes on his Survivor winnings and that he tried many times to find out how much he owed -- but that no one he asked could either tell him or would get back to him.
That included the reality TV show's producer, CBS and Viacom, as well as the IRS, he said.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged, under questioning by Vilker, that he filed a tax return for 2000 that didn't include his Survivor winnings, that he didn't pay taxes on the winnings, and in fact, received a $4,483 refund for the 2000 tax year.
Earlier today, Hatch alleged on the stand that about $350,000 he had set aside with an investment firm to pay possible taxes was "stolen" and "embezzled." He acknowledged that he didn't sue in an attempt to get the money back because "it wasn't a priority."
Hatch started his day on the stand talking mostly about his growing up on Aquidneck Island, job history, and how he became a contender on the show.
At times Hatch elaborated beyond his lawyer's questions in his answers in trying to explain himself to the jury. Torres tried reining him in, prompting Hatch to say:
"I've been waiting three years, your honor," Hatch said, in an apparent reference to the dispute over his taxes.
He talked about his troubled teen years and how he turned to the Horizon Bound program for help. Hatch later tried to restart the outdoor adventure program for youth. He's accused of accepting donations and spending the contributions on personal expenses without paying taxes on the money.
Hatch also emphasized how the producers of the Survivor show controlled the environment, from what people wore and ate to filming their every movement.
In his opening statement last week, Minns promised the jury that the Survivor star -- who became infamous for his scheming ways and nude prime-time appearances -- would testify. "You will meet the real Richard Hatch," he said.
Hatch was charged a year ago, but walked away from a plea agreement on two counts of federal tax evasion. In September, prosecutors succeeded in bringing additional charges against Hatch when a grand jury returned a 10-count indictment against him.
In addition to the $1 million Survivor jackpot, Hatch allegedly did not pay taxes on a car he won on the show and $326,000 he received for co-hosting a Boston talk show.
The grand jury indicted him on charges of tax evasion, filing false income-tax returns, and bank, wire and mail fraud. The most serious charge carries a maximum 30-year prison sentence and a $1-million fine.
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