Richard Hatch is released on bail pending a future court appearance.

08:53 AM EST on Wednesday, January 26, 2005

BY RICHARD SALIT
Journal Staff Writer

PROVIDENCE -- Why didn't Newport's Richard Hatch pay taxes on the $1.01 million he won on the TV reality show Survivor?

Journal photo / Gretchen Ertl

Richard Hatch enters U.S. District Court, Providence, in which he entered no plea during a routine preliminary proceeding yesterday.

Hatch, 43, gave no explanation during his brief arraignment on tax evasion charges in U.S. District Court yesterday. Although he has signed an agreement indicating he will admit his guilt, Hatch entered no plea during the routine preliminary proceeding and was released on bail.

After arriving in court late, purportedly because of snarled traffic, Hatch stood before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lincoln D. Almond wearing khaki chinos, a plaid shirt and no tie. Gone was the beard he had on Survivor, replaced by a small patch of whiskers on his chin. And still gone was the weight he lost competing in the grueling island competition.

When Almond asked Hatch whether he would waive his right to a grand jury investigation, Hatch answered firmly, "I do, your honor."

"You may be seated," said Almond.

In addressing the judge, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee Vilker cited the plea agreement Hatch signed, in which prosecutors recommend "a term of imprisonment at the lowest point of the range of sentences for the offense." The charges against Hatch, two counts of filing false income tax returns, carry a maximum of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

Vilker said Hatch "is facing a significant penalty," but still recommended his release on bail. Hatch, who has an adopted son, has "strong local ties," he said. He added that Hatch signed court documents while he was out of the country and returned for his arraignment.

Vilker suggested that bail be secured by the estimated $50,000 in equity that Hatch has in the house he owns at 21 Anandale Rd. in Newport. Almond accepted the recommendation on the condition that Hatch surrender his passport.

"I understand for part of your business you do leave the country," Almond told the corporate consultant. "I would consider requests for business-related travel."

No date was set for his next appearance in court, before Chief U.S. District Judge Ernest C. Torres, who would sentence Hatch following his expected guilty plea.

Prosecutors allege that Hatch did not report to the Internal Revenue Service the $10,000 he received for appearing in the final episode of Survivor's first season or the $1-million jackpot he hit for winning, according to court records.

He also is accused of evading taxes on the $321,000 he garnered by parlaying his newfound celebrity into a talk-show gig in Boston, on The Wilde Show, on WQSX-FM.

The government asserts that Hatch filed false tax returns in 2000 and 2001.

Hatch has frequently returned to the limelight since winning Survivor. He revisited the show's all-star season last year and, the same year, went on the Dr. Phil show to talk about his son's relationship with a suspected pedophile.

Yesterday, he wanted nothing to do with the media. His Providence lawyer, Justin Holden, told reporters that neither he nor Hatch would comment on the case. They entered the courthouse's main entrance and left through the rear, avoiding the dozen members of the local media who were waiting out front.