Hatch appeals tax conviction

BOSTON, March 9 (UPI) -- "Survivor" winner and convicted tax evader Richard Hatch was told CBS would pay taxes on his winnings, his attorney said in a Boston federal appeals court.

Hatch, of Rhode Island, claimed the trial judge wouldn't allow him to tell how "Survivor" producer Mark Burnett -- worried that Hatch would leave the 2000 competition over alleged off-camera mischief -- bribed him to stay by offering to pay taxes on his $1 million prize, the Boston Herald said Friday.

Outside the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals courtroom, Rhode Island Assistant U.S. Attorney Donald Lockhart said Hatch's attorney, Michael Minns, could have questioned either him or Burnett about whether the show's outcome was being manipulated.

"The court never, ever prevented Richard Hatch from discussing any alleged deal with Mark Burnett," Lockhart said.

CBS denied Hatch's accusations.

With only the alleged verbal agreement to base a case on, Minns said he was concerned about jurors turning against his client. While there was nothing recorded, Minns said, "when he left the meeting, he had the understanding (CBS) was going to pay his taxes."

Hatch is serving four years in a minimum-security penitentiary in West Virginia.