Survivor winner Richard Hatch has appealed his tax
evasion conviction to the U.S. Supreme Court, his
attorney said Tuesday.
Hatch was
convicted two years ago of failing to pay taxes on the $1
million prize he won on the debut season of the hit CBS
reality series. The Newport. R.I., man was
sentenced to more than four years in prison.
Hatch's lawyer,
Michael Minns, has said his client confronted producers
about cheating during taping of the show, and a producer
promised his taxes would be paid if he kept quiet and
went on to win the competition. CBS has said Hatch's
claims have no merit.
In a brief filed
with the Supreme Court last week, Minns argued the judge
improperly prevented Hatch from testifying about the
conversation.
Minns also argued
the judge unfairly limited his cross-examination of the
tax accountant who prepared Hatch's tax returns and who was
a key witness for the government.
"He's extremely
optimistic about his appeal," Minns said. "He still
believes the system should work."
The U.S. Supreme
Court takes up only a small number of the appeals it
receives.
Minns also said
Hatch was writing a book about "his experiences with
the legal system and his disappointment not just with the
problems that he suffered but with the problems other
people have suffered that he has met." (AP)