Hey Rich. I hope you remember me. I was there in Plymouth with you when you got out of solitary. Just so you know, I was acquitted of EVERYTHING I was there for at the time. I spent a few years homeless because of that and finally cleared my name and got my butt out of Massachusetts. I moved to North Carolina (still homeless) and fought hard. 4 years and 1 month later, I was a Store Manager and just bought a condo. For anyone watching this, he's 100% correct! Listen and be wary of his words. The system can chew anyone up. Guilty or not. It was a horrible experience, but I did meet a few good people like Rich (and played a few games of backgammon). Take care, Rich!
Frank , Wow, your story makes me sad as well! Good to hear things are going much better for you.This criminal justice system is criminal in itself and so corrupt. Peace and best wishes to you and Richard! Keep speaking out Richard!
this issue is out of sight out of mind for so many Americans. I appreciate you using your platform to bring visibility to the innocence project. Our prison system is a painful reminder we do not live in the land of the free. We are all impacted by its persistence, directly or indirectly. Thank you for shedding some light on this.
Jared Gonzales Thanks Jared. Nothing that I know of. Those making decisions like that are wrapped up in their own power and desperate to prevent being exposed as frauds or held accountable for their own mistakes.
when my 8 year old naive eyes saw something they shouldn’t have and led me to ask “mommy, who’s that naked man on the tv?” I didn’t know she could have answered “he’s the man who will teach you about taxes on crazy amounts of money and wrongful convictions one day” and been right
Check out the feds CAFR (comprehensive annual financial report). They're FLUSH with money. They only tax our income to keep us their SLAVES. The trillions in debt is one of their lies to keep us fearful debt slaves. It's all lies. They did 911 with DEWs and blamed it on muslims to take over the Middle East. Read 'Where Did The Towers Go?' by Dr Judy Wood. She's a materials expert but she's not awake. Good thing she wrote it all down because she's been silenced. "ALL the bombings and shootings in the USA were created by the CIA" -Robert David Steele, retired CIA, not completely awake. Fake drills go live and americans are so brainwashed they believe it. Turn off MSM "news" if you want to wake up. If you must have it on don't listen, just LOOK and you'll SEE that it's all fake. A man with both legs blown off doesn't sit in a wheelchair and ride around streets with ambulances sitting there. 110 story steel framed buildings don't turn to superfine dust in LESS than 10 seconds from fires or bombs, but they do from DEWs. Same goes for houses. Research everything you think is true because as Michael Ellner said, everything is opposite. And get out of the USA ASAP if you can. Good luck.
Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this. There have definitely been misconceptions about you for years and I'm glad you are clearing them up.
You’re more wonderful than I knew just from watching you on Survivor. I watched a TED talk by Bryan Stevenson a while ago where he talks about our prison system- ‘the opposite of poverty is not wealth, it is justice’ - I love that you brought him up.
Hi Rich, Great vid. I got 7 on a 'conspiracy' when my ex pal got busted in a powder drug sting. Different city, hadn't seen him in months. I was at home in bed, but, when they came and questioned me (because he ratted out every pot smoking friend he ever had in order to save his own hide.) I had the audacity to maintain my right to silence. I also had pot. I was screwed. Beat the state, was kicked up to the fed and BLAM, conspiracy. I got out post conviction after doing 23 months for something I did not do. Cost me everything. EVERYTHING. I can relate to your story. My question for you is about fear and hate. I am scared of them to this day. Can't shake it. How do you go on line here without fear of poking the bear. Also, hate. I came to hate them (even the 'good ones', because they lacked the spine to tell truths about the evil among them). Cops, prosecutors, judges, jailers. I came to hate them all. I know hate is a strong word. I would love to shake that. I know it is dark. But when I think about the things they did to me... It is not an active burning overwhelming thing. It was 20 odd years ago. But I am still angry, I still have hate, It just doesn't go away. It rarely surfaces either, and you would have to know me well to know it was there. It just never becomes nil. How do you deal with that? You're the best! S
steve mak WOW! Great post. Thanks for sharing. I have a different take from what I think most folks would say to you, but based on what I’m able to glean about you from this one post, I think your hate may be healthy. The truth is, in general, we humans are downright fucking awful to one another. Throughout history, we always have been. If more people understood we actually only have one life to live and understood how bullies in power often abuse people, destroying their lives, hate seems appropriate. There are MANY cultural norms designed to prevent people from letting hate eat away at the rest of their lives, but if the situation is as you described ) and I’m WELL AWARE how common and likely it is, those who abused you and are likely still abusing others don’t deserve you feeling any differently about them. I feel for you, Bud. Someday, I only hope people start holding more accountable those in positions of power and privilege rather than as we do now, always going lightly on the most privileged and powerful among us. Until then, nobody in power who lacks compassion and abuses others will ever have my respect.
So•We’ll•Said and important to be said for everyone’s well being! I encourage anyone who finds this to listen to the entirety. Thank you for the strength it has taken to survive such injustices & for the humility to honor those who don’t have the same societal or personal resources to endure. We all need to live by the Golden Rule. To support it in multiple ways for those with the least resources and to insist on it *from the top down* from those with the greatest power and freedom
Hey man. Thanks for sharing your story. I appreciate your distinction between Prison being a punishment, to going to prison to be punished. The whole topic is so out of touch, that people joke and laugh about prison rape. It's disturbing. Anyways, I think it's cool hearing you talk. I'm a big Survivor fan and I still get a chuckle when you were in All-Stars refusing to fish. XD
I have never once believed got a split second that you were guilty of tax evasion because I know just how broken and hopeless our system is. Thank you for telling your story and for continuing to make videos for us!
@Hatch, thank you for pointing out the imbalances in our justice system. I think everyone assumes it “tries it’s best” to be balanced and fair, until you are subjected to it and you realize just how far our perception is from the reality. Everything you said about it being a financial/social game is spot on. It’s insane that you have to have money AND certain people have to like you in order to walk away from our court system relatively unscathed.
So I just finished season 1 of survivor, and the entire time, I was actually rooting for you. When you won, I was super excited and wanted to see what you had done after the show, I found all the info about the tax evasion and acquitted charges and was beyond flabbergasted. I do agree that you were wronged and that this system is not just broken but shattered into an unfixable mess. I have learned all of this today, and I will tell you that today, after all the research and the time spent watching your videos, you have just became one of my biggest idols and a major inspiration. You're amazing, Richard, and I'm glad you're still going strong!
For an incredibly kind and educated man, anytime! (I'm not gonna lie, though, was not expecting you to answer, and just fan girled harder than I meant, too 😂).
Richard, I'm 62, survivor fan and have watched some of your videos. Regarding your prison experiences, how were you treated by corrections officers and other inmates? Did any of them recognize you from the show? Were you in general population or protective custody? Thanks.
Mr. Hatch, I am a 14 year old super fan and my family thinks I’m crazy because I love survivor so much. You have always been one of my favorite players (You on All-Stars has to be one of the funniest things on television) but I have loved the fact that you’ve started doing TH-cam and I’ve loved listening to your stories. Thanks so much for giving me more insight into your story and the show I love. Although some of the stuff about CBS is a bit alarming! Also, You should’ve been on Winners at War. That would’ve been amazing!
Even though there has been 38 winners after you (I'm separating Sandra's wins) your win still holds up as one of, if not THE best win. Definitely most historic.
Thank you Richard for telling your story. I had NO idea what you went through or even WHY. Now I'm pissed off at CBS. Having watched every single episode of Survivor since May 31, 2000, you are truly a giant of the game - the man who knew about alliances and set the example for all players who followed. We wouldn't have Boston Rob, Sandra, or Parvati without your great first season!!
It's great to finally hear the details about all this legal crap that they shoveled upon you. You are a very intelligent man...and I knew even when all this went down that it just smelled wrong on sooo many counts. You are still one of my all time great Survivor favorites - and it sucks you're not going to be on this coming season. You defined how to play the game....and should be there!
This was very powerful. I grew up in Morgantown and would often ride past the JFK Center on the Greenbag Road on a regular basis. I am ashamed to say that my mom would have my sister and I wave to you from the car. I think this was partially do to the way in which the JFK Center is portrayed to the public in Morgantown. It is clean, has a nice name, and even a baseball field. Therefore kids like myself growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s viewed it as a prison/country club. We didn't believe it could be bad at all. I have come to firmly know as you do that the judicial system is completely broken. It is incredible how easily the veil can be pulled over the eyes of the average citizen to believe that they are actually safe from the state.
This makes zero sense.....you have had a job before and paid taxes right? You are filing federal taxes in AMERICA.....not in MALAYSIA......when TurboTax asks you abour "income" you put $1,000,000..... then you get out your check book, and you write a check for $400,000.....what does anything about Malaysia matter? That is between CBS and SEG and Malaysia...if Malaysia wanted their taxes, they'd have brought the charges against you in Malaysia.....if this honestly is how it all went down, then you should go punch your accountant in the face, and call your attorney and sue your accountant for ruining your life as a crappy accountant!
I can’t believe you can go to prison for that long over that. This doesn’t add up to me though, like why weren’t the taxes just paid. The IRS will tell you what you owe, so wouldn’t you just pay it? I don’t get how this could happen.
Laugher Nine Agreed! The IRS refused to assess (or couldn’t figure out) what I owed for more than 10 years. I was convicted without having ever been assessed to owe a cent. The assessment wasn’t completed until many years after I was out of prison. CRAZY, believe me, I know.
@I am A tree the people who did my taxes did a mistake in my past. Then I had to redo them and it also created an issue with the canadian version of the taxes since i was refiling and owed interest in late payments a gew years laters. Taxes can be complicated. I remember the guy who commited suicide on cnn also had tax issues. Anthony Cordain or Bordain might be his name?
Richard, you are a brilliant speaker. You also invented the game of survivor and are the main reason I got hooked and continue to watch the show today. I wish you the best of luck and am glad I stumbled along your channel.
I haven't actually seen season 1 (but Ive watched season 8) and what I get out of the few videos I've watched so far that youve uploaded here is how much I wished you were on season 40!!
Thank you for gathering the courage to explain to us. The system is indeed screwed up. May those wicked hearts that do this to you be brought to Justice.
You’re so right about the American DOC system. If the guard is in a mood, your life inside can be so fucked. My brother is doing life without and he’s been down since 2001. He was 19 years old and made the worst decision he could’ve made. He’s lost so much in there that he’s earned over the years just because one guard decided to be a vindictive power hungry fool for the day. It’s gross. There is no law governing these guards inside these institutions. They can do whatever they want, whenever they feel like it. It absolutely blows my mind.
Growing up, I knew of you through my parents as the "gay tax evader who won Survivor." Rewatching the show in my late twenties, I love your gameplay! Apart from homophobia, I couldn't understand what made people not like you. I did a little digging, read a few fan sites, and wound up at your channel. I probably still don't know enough (or with enough certainty) to feel informed about your legal predicaments. But that doesn't matter: if even a judge has done you wrong, I'm sure you don't put much stock in others' opinions. I just wanted to say that I appreciated your candor in this and other videos. I think it would be tremendously challenging to cope with imprisonment--especially in the circumstances you describe. Thank you for shedding light on some of the ways our justice system fails us all (and some more than others!). I hope to learn more about it and do something about it, too. Reality very much matters.
We are enjoying your TH-cam channel and videos, Richard. Keep it up. What advice would you give to those trying to get on Survivor? What is some behind the scenes information you can share, as well as unforeseen consequences of being on the show for players as a result of the experience and media attention, etc.? Thank you very much. I agree with you on the need for significant criminal justice reform in our country.
You are a unique & powerful personality, but foremost and most importantly you’re a human being & I’m so sorry you had to endure this. I whole heartedly agree with the points you’ve raised here, thanks for being so brave. I’m reading William Kuntslers autobiography atm & it goes hand in hand with the issues your speaking to. If you haven’t read it I think you would appreciate it. He speaks about his journey from being a lawyer who fully believes in the American justice system, to realizing that it is fundamentally corrupt. And more about winning than about justice. He defended many unsavoury characters. I found his book honest, insightful, and intelligent; just like yourself.
@@RichHatch Have a nice day and thanks for bringing back good memories! Oh my God! Richard Hatch did reply my comment! I will take it as an autograph. Greetings from Tlalnepantla, Estado de MÉXICO! 🙂😘🙃
I'm glad to hear your perspective of what happened, and am enjoying your channel. I'm curious if you are aware of any other contestants that experience similar issues with figuring out wtf to do with taxes on the legal side and if they were railroaded (whether it led to a conviction or not) or if any of them reached out to you since you would have been the first
Thank you for sharing, Richard. Are you familiar with the story of Irwin Schiff? Needless to say, government in America is way too big and out of control.
Wow. I was ready to write you off as someone experiencing eating sour grapes. Los and behold, you are a fiery social justice advocate. Thank you for speaking out. I’ve watched eveyepisode of Survivor. Your game play and relationship with Rudy hooked me. I’m sorry you are not on the 40th episode. I’m glad you have found a platform here on TH-cam. I’ll subscribe.
I’m tracking this and happy to hear your side. Gotta ask: when you say you and/or your accountant we’re looking into if taxes had already been paid by “Survivor” in Malaysia how does that make sense? You are an American paying taxes in America on what you earned. Also, when you say the inquiry into had taxes been paid or not went on for a year that sounds wrong. Any of us know when taxes are owed and uh oh I need more information you don’t just go oh well and let a year go by. Anyway. Sounds rotten what you went through but don’t kid yourself that NONE of it was your fault.
I believe you Rich. Btw ... It is pretty standard to release you after that guilty verdict and given time to sort out your affairs and then surrender yourself to the jail. I also want to say when I was a little kid I watched you, and in the first episode I said ... That man is going to win! I also was SHOCKED you were not there at winners at war,and I hate that they kept you out. You are the guy who got me into survivor in the first place and I wanted to see you and Tony play together and the viewers were robbed of that and we can't ever go back, its sad. Keep strong man you still have tons of fans.
I don't get why they did not automatically take the taxes out of his winnings. They do in my paychecks at my job. That way I don't have pay anything back. It just make things easier.
I am glad that we are finally getting to hear your side of the story. Please just know you still have fans out there! I do have one question, why are you now finally speaking out about survivor in general? This seems so long ago.
Welcome to our freaking world … :'( So grateful to you for sharing a bit of your red pill. You are truly an incredible man and such a great inspiration! #TheOriginalSurvivor
8:07. I agree with everything you’re saying but in my experience the only reason that we allow this is because nobody understands the extent to which the legal system is broken. Everyone thinks you go in and root out the truth then the bad guys get punished but the only one punished is the person with the smallest wallet
Did you end up suing Survivor et al for not disclosing this information? I mean arent they required to give you some kind of a form indicating what was paid on your behalf? Were they charged with anything?
powerful perspective ... a really valuable point of view ... thanks for processing your unjust experience into an exposure of human needs and inhumane 'blind eyes'.
Early in the video, you mention the Malaysian taxes and Survivor, and said you'll get to why they didn't answer you later, but you never got to it later. I feel like this video leaves a ton of unanswered questions. I've read many media versions of your story and none of them seem to add up. I'm also really curious about your tax accountant/lawyers and how they didn't take the fall for this. Weren't they the ones supposed to be taking care of your taxes? I really appreciate your side of the story, and now I would definitely love a lot more details.
Also, once you start adding in that you leaked that Kelley was getting food, it seems like you were treated as a whistleblower who everyone wanted to keep quiet. I wonder about Jeff Probst take on all of this. Like does he feel guilty that you went to jail for 4+ years? He definitely should have taken a lot more responsibility. Also, it seems crazy to send you to jail for 4+ years, when you owe $300k in taxes. I know people who owe a heck of a lot more than that, and they are not even thinking about jail time, nor are they considering paying it. Plus, jail costs the government a lot of money. So instead of the government trying to get you to pay the $300k, then instead throw a lot more money your way by keeping you locked up. The whole thing seems insane!!!
Man, I totally feel for you.. Ive been to jail for short times.. I cannot imagine being locked up for 51 months for something so minor.. Im glad that you came out on top. I'm sorry you went through that
Rich a big reason I respect you is that fact that you tell truths no matter who likes it. Also has any other winner had this problem with paying the tax on the prize
@Richard - I am speechless. I'm 31 and I had a situation happen to me where I knew our system was completely fucked in america. I got sent to prison for something ridiculous for a day. Let us know what we can do because I want to help
holy crap Richard, unbelievable!!! I am so saddened to hear your mistreatment, survivor should be ashamed of themselves. Probst and Burnett should have helped you out with lawyers or whatever.
I’m surprised CBS wouldn’t step in and help. I believe they are only concerned about their income. This situation made them look like shit but not the only reason.
I have to apologize, I as others believed the headlines and not even thinking of what was the truth. I should have know better, since I always had a hard time believe people that said 'the cops planted the drugs on me', I used to think "ya whatever". Then I went to a dance, drank a little too much and got mouthy with one of the cops...and VOILA...they came and took me by the arm and said 'Your under arrest for possession of marijuana"......Yup...then 1 year going back and forth (didn't know the dirty justice system), I had to plead guilty to holding it for my boyfriend....I didn't have a boyfriend, I didn't know what Weed was and never smoked it....That was my 101 into the criminal justice system. So I sympathize with you Richard. BUT.....You were and will always be one of the BEST Survivor players. Your sarcasm, your wit, and your compassionate side will live on. Sad that you got 51 months for supposed tax evasion, drug dealers get years but PEDOPHILES get walking papers to molest young innocent children!!! Sad truth
Thank you, Iscia! Most people will never comprehend the extent and arbitrariness of our “broken” system of injustice. Recently, I heard someone argue that our system is NOT broken. Rather, they explained, it is working exactly as intended, generally better-serving people in positions of privilege. Thank you for sharing your story and for acknowledging my own.
But the first season you played finished airing on August 23, 2000 and that was the day you got the check. If this happened over a year after we will say August 23, 2001 at the earlier, and you ended up in jail for over 4 years, that means you would have been in jail after August 23, 2005. But you were on season 8 which began filming on November 3rd, 2003. Am I missing something?
Your my favorite contestant, but only after seeing these suprisingly personal videos. You remember when you bit that shark that bit YOU hahaha. Your so awesome
I’m really sorry to hear that this happened. What a nightmare. I appreciate how interesting and articulate you are, and that you point to the much larger issues of punishment, racism, structural oppression and the prison industrial complex. Between the manipulation and theatrics and power plays and voting blindside, it sounds like the reality show didn’t end after survivor. Terrifying. Panem et circenses.
What a line of B.S. You should have paid the U.S it’s taxes by April 15-like every other citizen. This is not the first time in human history a US citizen has earned income outside of the United States. If an attorney or accountant advised you to take the course of action you did, you should sue them for malpractice. Truth is you probably disregarded the advice of your attorney and tax accountants. In fact, there is probably a memorandum to file in some California attorneys office that says, “on this date I advised Richard Hatch to do ___ but he refused to take this legal advice.” You are a good liar but not convincing enough.
Very enlightening 🕯. Thank you for taking the time to do a channel. Believe it or not, I got the referral from Russell Hantz’s channel on Survivor topics😆. He sounded threatened, because your videos are “done by production company” and his are unedited- hence more “real.” Lol
So much doesn’t add up. Bottom line is his ego got in the way. He thought he could win 1mil and not pay taxes. Literally the only idiot out of so many that have won money on tv shows who went to prison over this. Completely could have been avoided. Talk about an egomaniac.
Wow, what a harrowing story. Our criminal justice system is broken. I'm familiar with Bryan Stevenson's work and I think he's making great strides - hopefully we can overhaul the entire system one day. Thanks for sharing your side of the story Richard. On a related note, I'm wondering whether you ever got to actually spend/use any of your winnings before/after you were in prison? Or was it all taken from you?
Hey Rich. I hope you remember me. I was there in Plymouth with you when you got out of solitary. Just so you know, I was acquitted of EVERYTHING I was there for at the time. I spent a few years homeless because of that and finally cleared my name and got my butt out of Massachusetts. I moved to North Carolina (still homeless) and fought hard. 4 years and 1 month later, I was a Store Manager and just bought a condo.
For anyone watching this, he's 100% correct! Listen and be wary of his words. The system can chew anyone up. Guilty or not. It was a horrible experience, but I did meet a few good people like Rich (and played a few games of backgammon).
Take care, Rich!
Frank , Wow, your story makes me sad as well! Good to hear things are going much better for you.This criminal justice system is criminal in itself and so corrupt. Peace and best wishes to you and Richard! Keep speaking out Richard!
Way to beat the system!!! You're strong.
I know you're not concerned about everyone liking you. But remember, a lot of people do. Me included. You were robbed not to be on WAW.
Robin Horgan Thank you very much.
Yes, so disappointed. It could've been epic if you'd been there.
I like you too! I don't and never have thought you were a villain.
Tammy Nelson he called Jeff Probst a bigot and a racist.
@@RichHatch I’m pretty sure they didn’t let you on because of the Spilo incident. Hopefully you get back on in like season 50 or something
this issue is out of sight out of mind for so many Americans. I appreciate you using your platform to bring visibility to the innocence project.
Our prison system is a painful reminder we do not live in the land of the free. We are all impacted by its persistence, directly or indirectly. Thank you for shedding some light on this.
Thanks for being vulnerable Rich. It makes me respect you even more.
What can we do as fans to get you on survivor?
Jared Gonzales Thanks Jared. Nothing that I know of. Those making decisions like that are wrapped up in their own power and desperate to prevent being exposed as frauds or held accountable for their own mistakes.
when my 8 year old naive eyes saw something they shouldn’t have and led me to ask “mommy, who’s that naked man on the tv?” I didn’t know she could have answered “he’s the man who will teach you about taxes on crazy amounts of money and wrongful convictions one day” and been right
Check out the feds CAFR (comprehensive annual financial report). They're FLUSH with money. They only tax our income to keep us their SLAVES. The trillions in debt is one of their lies to keep us fearful debt slaves. It's all lies. They did 911 with DEWs and blamed it on muslims to take over the Middle East. Read 'Where Did The Towers Go?' by Dr Judy Wood. She's a materials expert but she's not awake. Good thing she wrote it all down because she's been silenced.
"ALL the bombings and shootings in the USA were created by the CIA" -Robert David Steele, retired CIA, not completely awake. Fake drills go live and americans are so brainwashed they believe it. Turn off MSM "news" if you want to wake up. If you must have it on don't listen, just LOOK and you'll SEE that it's all fake. A man with both legs blown off doesn't sit in a wheelchair and ride around streets with ambulances sitting there. 110 story steel framed buildings don't turn to superfine dust in LESS than 10 seconds from fires or bombs, but they do from DEWs. Same goes for houses. Research everything you think is true because as Michael Ellner said, everything is opposite. And get out of the USA ASAP if you can. Good luck.
Thanks for taking the time to explain all of this. There have definitely been misconceptions about you for years and I'm glad you are clearing them up.
Your videos have been absolutely fascinating to watch!! Thank you for taking the time to make these.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and story. Us super fans are behind you. Much respect and wishing you the best ❤️
Richard I am so sorry you were treated this way. Time spent you can never get back. You in my mind is so 100% open and honest.
You’re more wonderful than I knew just from watching you on Survivor. I watched a TED talk by Bryan Stevenson a while ago where he talks about our prison system- ‘the opposite of poverty is not wealth, it is justice’ - I love that you brought him up.
Bryan is an extraordinary man! Thanks Elisa.
😍😘🥰
Hi Rich,
Great vid.
I got 7 on a 'conspiracy' when my ex pal got busted in a powder drug sting. Different city, hadn't seen him in months. I was at home in bed, but, when they came and questioned me (because he ratted out every pot smoking friend he ever had in order to save his own hide.) I had the audacity to maintain my right to silence. I also had pot. I was screwed. Beat the state, was kicked up to the fed and BLAM, conspiracy. I got out post conviction after doing 23 months for something I did not do. Cost me everything. EVERYTHING. I can relate to your story.
My question for you is about fear and hate. I am scared of them to this day. Can't shake it. How do you go on line here without fear of poking the bear. Also, hate. I came to hate them (even the 'good ones', because they lacked the spine to tell truths about the evil among them). Cops, prosecutors, judges, jailers. I came to hate them all. I know hate is a strong word. I would love to shake that. I know it is dark. But when I think about the things they did to me... It is not an active burning overwhelming thing. It was 20 odd years ago. But I am still angry, I still have hate, It just doesn't go away. It rarely surfaces either, and you would have to know me well to know it was there. It just never becomes nil. How do you deal with that?
You're the best! S
steve mak WOW! Great post. Thanks for sharing. I have a different take from what I think most folks would say to you, but based on what I’m able to glean about you from this one post, I think your hate may be healthy. The truth is, in general, we humans are downright fucking awful to one another. Throughout history, we always have been. If more people understood we actually only have one life to live and understood how bullies in power often abuse people, destroying their lives, hate seems appropriate. There are MANY cultural norms designed to prevent people from letting hate eat away at the rest of their lives, but if the situation is as you described ) and I’m WELL AWARE how common and likely it is, those who abused you and are likely still abusing others don’t deserve you feeling any differently about them. I feel for you, Bud. Someday, I only hope people start holding more accountable those in positions of power and privilege rather than as we do now, always going lightly on the most privileged and powerful among us. Until then, nobody in power who lacks compassion and abuses others will ever have my respect.
I could never actually hate them. That would imply that I cared.
So•We’ll•Said and important to be said for everyone’s well being!
I encourage anyone who finds this to listen to the entirety. Thank you for the strength it has taken to survive such injustices & for the humility to honor those who don’t have the same societal or personal resources to endure.
We all need to live by the Golden Rule. To support it in multiple ways for those with the least resources and to insist on it *from the top down* from those with the greatest power and freedom
Loving the behind the scenes truth, but hate hearing how screwed over you got.
Hey man. Thanks for sharing your story. I appreciate your distinction between Prison being a punishment, to going to prison to be punished. The whole topic is so out of touch, that people joke and laugh about prison rape. It's disturbing.
Anyways, I think it's cool hearing you talk. I'm a big Survivor fan and I still get a chuckle when you were in All-Stars refusing to fish. XD
Love your video. Thanks for bringing awarness. Its very eye opening.
Oh My God had no clue about any of this.
This was so POWERFUL!!! My goodness!!
I have never once believed got a split second that you were guilty of tax evasion because I know just how broken and hopeless our system is. Thank you for telling your story and for continuing to make videos for us!
Hatch, are you going to talk about S40 on your channel during the season? Would love to hear your takes
@Hatch, thank you for pointing out the imbalances in our justice system. I think everyone assumes it “tries it’s best” to be balanced and fair, until you are subjected to it and you realize just how far our perception is from the reality. Everything you said about it being a financial/social game is spot on. It’s insane that you have to have money AND certain people have to like you in order to walk away from our court system relatively unscathed.
So I just finished season 1 of survivor, and the entire time, I was actually rooting for you. When you won, I was super excited and wanted to see what you had done after the show, I found all the info about the tax evasion and acquitted charges and was beyond flabbergasted. I do agree that you were wronged and that this system is not just broken but shattered into an unfixable mess. I have learned all of this today, and I will tell you that today, after all the research and the time spent watching your videos, you have just became one of my biggest idols and a major inspiration. You're amazing, Richard, and I'm glad you're still going strong!
Those are incredibly kind words. Thank you, Vital.
For an incredibly kind and educated man, anytime! (I'm not gonna lie, though, was not expecting you to answer, and just fan girled harder than I meant, too 😂).
Richard, I'm 62, survivor fan and have watched some of your videos. Regarding your prison experiences, how were you treated by corrections officers and other inmates? Did any of them recognize you from the show? Were you in general population or protective custody? Thanks.
Mr. Hatch, I am a 14 year old super fan and my family thinks I’m crazy because I love survivor so much. You have always been one of my favorite players (You on All-Stars has to be one of the funniest things on television) but I have loved the fact that you’ve started doing TH-cam and I’ve loved listening to your stories. Thanks so much for giving me more insight into your story and the show I love. Although some of the stuff about CBS is a bit alarming! Also, You should’ve been on Winners at War. That would’ve been amazing!
Even though there has been 38 winners after you (I'm separating Sandra's wins) your win still holds up as one of, if not THE best win. Definitely most historic.
Thank you Richard for telling your story. I had NO idea what you went through or even WHY. Now I'm pissed off at CBS. Having watched every single episode of Survivor since May 31, 2000, you are truly a giant of the game - the man who knew about alliances and set the example for all players who followed. We wouldn't have Boston Rob, Sandra, or Parvati without your great first season!!
It's great to finally hear the details about all this legal crap that they shoveled upon you. You are a very intelligent man...and I knew even when all this went down that it just smelled wrong on sooo many counts. You are still one of my all time great Survivor favorites - and it sucks you're not going to be on this coming season. You defined how to play the game....and should be there!
This was very powerful. I grew up in Morgantown and would often ride past the JFK Center on the Greenbag Road on a regular basis. I am ashamed to say that my mom would have my sister and I wave to you from the car. I think this was partially do to the way in which the JFK Center is portrayed to the public in Morgantown. It is clean, has a nice name, and even a baseball field. Therefore kids like myself growing up in the late 90s and early 2000s viewed it as a prison/country club. We didn't believe it could be bad at all. I have come to firmly know as you do that the judicial system is completely broken. It is incredible how easily the veil can be pulled over the eyes of the average citizen to believe that they are actually safe from the state.
I’m loving the insight into Survivor and outside life from the original winner. Really cool stuff
More people need to hear this monumental injustice! I'm so sorry you had to go through this.
well now we know why the money is given during the reunion show in the US
This makes zero sense.....you have had a job before and paid taxes right? You are filing federal taxes in AMERICA.....not in MALAYSIA......when TurboTax asks you abour "income" you put $1,000,000..... then you get out your check book, and you write a check for $400,000.....what does anything about Malaysia matter? That is between CBS and SEG and Malaysia...if Malaysia wanted their taxes, they'd have brought the charges against you in Malaysia.....if this honestly is how it all went down, then you should go punch your accountant in the face, and call your attorney and sue your accountant for ruining your life as a crappy accountant!
www.thesmokinggun.com/file/richard-hatch-gets-hammered
I can’t believe you can go to prison for that long over that. This doesn’t add up to me though, like why weren’t the taxes just paid. The IRS will tell you what you owe, so wouldn’t you just pay it? I don’t get how this could happen.
Laugher Nine Agreed! The IRS refused to assess (or couldn’t figure out) what I owed for more than 10 years. I was convicted without having ever been assessed to owe a cent. The assessment wasn’t completed until many years after I was out of prison. CRAZY, believe me, I know.
Richard Hatch Thank you for your reply. That is very frightening. Glad we could hear your side of things.
Richard Hatch The IRS in this case needs to do an investigation into who got you into this crap and fire them plus at least 18 months for negligence!!
@I am A tree the people who did my taxes did a mistake in my past. Then I had to redo them and it also created an issue with the canadian version of the taxes since i was refiling and owed interest in late payments a gew years laters. Taxes can be complicated. I remember the guy who commited suicide on cnn also had tax issues. Anthony Cordain or Bordain might be his name?
Watching Season 1 again and my god S40 missed out not having you on. Aussie fan here who runs the Australian Survivor Fans group on FB.
Watching you on All Stars right now. Did you really smuggle matches in? Please answer!
Jeff: Hatch! I know you got fire!
Rich: *guilty look*
Aren't they strip searched? So how would they get anything in?
Reuben Manzo That started happening after All Stars
I loved you on survivor! I am so sorry you had to go through this. I hope your spirit wasn't too broken.
Sorry that this happened to you. What is sad is that this can happen to everyone of us. You are in my prayers.
Richard, you are a brilliant speaker. You also invented the game of survivor and are the main reason I got hooked and continue to watch the show today. I wish you the best of luck and am glad I stumbled along your channel.
He also invented the alliance which is used in Big Brother show as well!
I haven't actually seen season 1 (but Ive watched season 8) and what I get out of the few videos I've watched so far that youve uploaded here is how much I wished you were on season 40!!
Thank you for talking about prison reform and the money that is being made on the backs of the American people.
You're awesome, Richard! Keep it up!
Thank you for gathering the courage to explain to us. The system is indeed screwed up. May those wicked hearts that do this to you be brought to Justice.
Currently watching Borneo for the first time and it is a major shame that you weren't on Winners at War. Great video
Very good breakdown it’s sad how the world works. Hope to see you in legends.
You’re so right about the American DOC system. If the guard is in a mood, your life inside can be so fucked. My brother is doing life without and he’s been down since 2001. He was 19 years old and made the worst decision he could’ve made. He’s lost so much in there that he’s earned over the years just because one guard decided to be a vindictive power hungry fool for the day. It’s gross. There is no law governing these guards inside these institutions. They can do whatever they want, whenever they feel like it. It absolutely blows my mind.
Growing up, I knew of you through my parents as the "gay tax evader who won Survivor." Rewatching the show in my late twenties, I love your gameplay! Apart from homophobia, I couldn't understand what made people not like you.
I did a little digging, read a few fan sites, and wound up at your channel. I probably still don't know enough (or with enough certainty) to feel informed about your legal predicaments. But that doesn't matter: if even a judge has done you wrong, I'm sure you don't put much stock in others' opinions.
I just wanted to say that I appreciated your candor in this and other videos. I think it would be tremendously challenging to cope with imprisonment--especially in the circumstances you describe. Thank you for shedding light on some of the ways our justice system fails us all (and some more than others!). I hope to learn more about it and do something about it, too. Reality very much matters.
We are enjoying your TH-cam channel and videos, Richard. Keep it up. What advice would you give to those trying to get on Survivor? What is some behind the scenes information you can share, as well as unforeseen consequences of being on the show for players as a result of the experience and media attention, etc.? Thank you very much. I agree with you on the need for significant criminal justice reform in our country.
You are a unique & powerful personality, but foremost and most importantly you’re a human being & I’m so sorry you had to endure this. I whole heartedly agree with the points you’ve raised here, thanks for being so brave.
I’m reading William Kuntslers autobiography atm & it goes hand in hand with the issues your speaking to. If you haven’t read it I think you would appreciate it. He speaks about his journey from being a lawyer who fully believes in the American justice system, to realizing that it is fundamentally corrupt. And more about winning than about justice. He defended many unsavoury characters. I found his book honest, insightful, and intelligent; just like yourself.
Forgive my ignorance of the process, but did you have any opportunity to pursue an appeal?
Hey Rich! This is my very first opportunity to send a message to you: HANDSOME! ❤😊❤
Well, gosh, Jaime, thank you! You’re a handsome fella yourself. 😘
@@RichHatch Have a nice day and thanks for bringing back good memories! Oh my God! Richard Hatch did reply my comment! I will take it as an autograph. Greetings from Tlalnepantla, Estado de MÉXICO! 🙂😘🙃
I'm glad to hear your perspective of what happened, and am enjoying your channel. I'm curious if you are aware of any other contestants that experience similar issues with figuring out wtf to do with taxes on the legal side and if they were railroaded (whether it led to a conviction or not) or if any of them reached out to you since you would have been the first
I’d love for you to make a video in which you go into more depth about some of the topics you covered here but didn’t go into depth about.
Plz talk abut the situation you had with Sue in all stars
Dude I’m so sorry you had to go to jail. The fans love you and are saddened we couldn’t see you on winners at war! All the best man!
Thank you for sharing, Richard. Are you familiar with the story of Irwin Schiff? Needless to say, government in America is way too big and out of control.
I too was put in the system. My story too doesn't mean a lot. I too saw the same things you were describing. It is a broken system.
Wow. I was ready to write you off as someone experiencing eating sour grapes. Los and behold, you are a fiery social justice advocate. Thank you for speaking out. I’ve watched eveyepisode of Survivor. Your game play and relationship with Rudy hooked me. I’m sorry you are not on the 40th episode. I’m glad you have found a platform here on TH-cam. I’ll subscribe.
Why haven’t I learned to proofread before posting?
I’m sorry that this happened to you!
I would love if you started a podcast. It could be about your experience on Survivor, Prison...etc.
I’m tracking this and happy to hear your side. Gotta ask: when you say you and/or your accountant we’re looking into if taxes had already been paid by “Survivor” in Malaysia how does that make sense?
You are an American paying taxes in America on what you earned.
Also, when you say the inquiry into had taxes been paid or not went on for a year that sounds wrong. Any of us know when taxes are owed and uh oh I need more information you don’t just go oh well and let a year go by.
Anyway. Sounds rotten what you went through but don’t kid yourself that NONE of it was your fault.
I take it back I take it back!
4 years plus is fucking absurd.
Lesson to me: watch the whole video before commenting. Sorry!
yknow you can also delete comments just fyi
Once again great video. Thanks. I think you are great person. Will you watch Winners at War? And that was awful you went to jail.
Do u talk to Jeff still?
I believe you Rich. Btw ... It is pretty standard to release you after that guilty verdict and given time to sort out your affairs and then surrender yourself to the jail. I also want to say when I was a little kid I watched you, and in the first episode I said ... That man is going to win! I also was SHOCKED you were not there at winners at war,and I hate that they kept you out. You are the guy who got me into survivor in the first place and I wanted to see you and Tony play together and the viewers were robbed of that and we can't ever go back, its sad. Keep strong man you still have tons of fans.
I don't get why they did not automatically take the taxes out of his winnings. They do in my paychecks at my job. That way I don't have pay anything back. It just make things easier.
I am glad that we are finally getting to hear your side of the story. Please just know you still have fans out there! I do have one question, why are you now finally speaking out about survivor in general? This seems so long ago.
Welcome to our freaking world … :'(
So grateful to you for sharing a bit of your red pill.
You are truly an incredible man and such a great inspiration!
#TheOriginalSurvivor
8:07. I agree with everything you’re saying but in my experience the only reason that we allow this is because nobody understands the extent to which the legal system is broken. Everyone thinks you go in and root out the truth then the bad guys get punished but the only one punished is the person with the smallest wallet
Did you end up suing Survivor et al for not disclosing this information? I mean arent they required to give you some kind of a form indicating what was paid on your behalf? Were they charged with anything?
powerful perspective ... a really valuable point of view ... thanks for processing your unjust experience into an exposure of human needs and inhumane 'blind eyes'.
Thank you for clarifying the information about the tax evasion. I have a different opinion of you now. I'm sorry for the way the system treated you.
Please make a video about your Celebrity Apprentice experience. I love how you handled the board room
I don't know you personally but you seem genuine.. I am sorry you had to go through that
Early in the video, you mention the Malaysian taxes and Survivor, and said you'll get to why they didn't answer you later, but you never got to it later. I feel like this video leaves a ton of unanswered questions. I've read many media versions of your story and none of them seem to add up. I'm also really curious about your tax accountant/lawyers and how they didn't take the fall for this. Weren't they the ones supposed to be taking care of your taxes? I really appreciate your side of the story, and now I would definitely love a lot more details.
Also, once you start adding in that you leaked that Kelley was getting food, it seems like you were treated as a whistleblower who everyone wanted to keep quiet. I wonder about Jeff Probst take on all of this. Like does he feel guilty that you went to jail for 4+ years? He definitely should have taken a lot more responsibility. Also, it seems crazy to send you to jail for 4+ years, when you owe $300k in taxes. I know people who owe a heck of a lot more than that, and they are not even thinking about jail time, nor are they considering paying it. Plus, jail costs the government a lot of money. So instead of the government trying to get you to pay the $300k, then instead throw a lot more money your way by keeping you locked up. The whole thing seems insane!!!
Wait... Im an idiot cuz I dont know who Brian Stevenson is? Im confused
Man, I totally feel for you.. Ive been to jail for short times.. I cannot imagine being locked up for 51 months for something so minor.. Im glad that you came out on top. I'm sorry you went through that
And even the short times I was in jail for (90 days the longest) seemed like forever. I hope to never have to go back.
Rich a big reason I respect you is that fact that you tell truths no matter who likes it. Also has any other winner had this problem with paying the tax on the prize
@Richard - I am speechless. I'm 31 and I had a situation happen to me where I knew our system was completely fucked in america. I got sent to prison for something ridiculous for a day. Let us know what we can do because I want to help
Tax law is really tough because most of it doesn't exist, a lot of stuff made up by the iRS. And, the US Congress allows it.
Life destroying. So unnecessary and counterproductive.
I'm so sorry Richard. You don't deserve that. You're a great person.
holy crap Richard, unbelievable!!! I am so saddened to hear your mistreatment, survivor should be ashamed of themselves. Probst and Burnett should have helped you out with lawyers or whatever.
I’m surprised CBS wouldn’t step in and help. I believe they are only concerned about their income. This situation made them look like shit but not the only reason.
I'm so sorry you had to go through so much bullshit ❤
I have to apologize, I as others believed the headlines and not even thinking of what was the truth. I should have know better, since I always had a hard time believe people that said 'the cops planted the drugs on me', I used to think "ya whatever". Then I went to a dance, drank a little too much and got mouthy with one of the cops...and VOILA...they came and took me by the arm and said 'Your under arrest for possession of marijuana"......Yup...then 1 year going back and forth (didn't know the dirty justice system), I had to plead guilty to holding it for my boyfriend....I didn't have a boyfriend, I didn't know what Weed was and never smoked it....That was my 101 into the criminal justice system. So I sympathize with you Richard. BUT.....You were and will always be one of the BEST Survivor players. Your sarcasm, your wit, and your compassionate side will live on. Sad that you got 51 months for supposed tax evasion, drug dealers get years but PEDOPHILES get walking papers to molest young innocent children!!! Sad truth
Thank you, Iscia! Most people will never comprehend the extent and arbitrariness of our “broken” system of injustice. Recently, I heard someone argue that our system is NOT broken. Rather, they explained, it is working exactly as intended, generally better-serving people in positions of privilege. Thank you for sharing your story and for acknowledging my own.
Thank you for sharing this. I had no idea how it happened. CBS should have been charged. Do you ever wish you had never been on Survivor?
I admire you Mr. hatch
richard terry Thank you, Richard.
But the first season you played finished airing on August 23, 2000 and that was the day you got the check. If this happened over a year after we will say August 23, 2001 at the earlier, and you ended up in jail for over 4 years, that means you would have been in jail after August 23, 2005. But you were on season 8 which began filming on November 3rd, 2003.
Am I missing something?
maybe he served the rest on parole...? Though i dont know why parole would let him go on show except if CBS really wanted him.
Is this true? Any accountants out there? I find it incredibly hard to believe that he thought he paid taxes when he didn’t
You're the man rich! Survivor used to be awesome! You should make your own version of the show
Your my favorite contestant, but only after seeing these suprisingly personal videos. You remember when you bit that shark that bit YOU hahaha. Your so awesome
I love the intro!
When do you know that you won survivor? In nowadays seasons? Just on finale?
I’m really sorry to hear that this happened. What a nightmare. I appreciate how interesting and articulate you are, and that you point to the much larger issues of punishment, racism, structural oppression and the prison industrial complex. Between the manipulation and theatrics and power plays and voting blindside, it sounds like the reality show didn’t end after survivor. Terrifying. Panem et circenses.
What a line of B.S. You should have paid the U.S it’s taxes by April 15-like every other citizen.
This is not the first time in human history a US citizen has earned income outside of the United States.
If an attorney or accountant advised you to take the course of action you did, you should sue them for malpractice.
Truth is you probably disregarded the advice of your attorney and tax accountants. In fact, there is probably a memorandum to file in some California attorneys office that says, “on this date I advised Richard Hatch to do ___ but he refused to take this legal advice.”
You are a good liar but not convincing enough.
Very enlightening 🕯. Thank you for taking the time to do a channel. Believe it or not, I got the referral from Russell Hantz’s channel on Survivor topics😆. He sounded threatened, because your videos are “done by production company” and his are unedited- hence more “real.” Lol
Having some experience, Hatch is spot on.
Money is the root of all evil
So much doesn’t add up. Bottom line is his ego got in the way. He thought he could win 1mil and not pay taxes. Literally the only idiot out of so many that have won money on tv shows who went to prison over this. Completely could have been avoided. Talk about an egomaniac.
If only....
If only we could sell common sense.
Why did you go back to play all stars after all this? Why didn't any other winner have these issues? Wish you where in s40
Hatch went into prison after his time on All-Stars.
its sad how he has been treated by everybody in this world, I hope hes happy, he deserves to be happy, keep your head up king hatch
Kind words, Brady. Thank you!
Wow, what a harrowing story. Our criminal justice system is broken. I'm familiar with Bryan Stevenson's work and I think he's making great strides - hopefully we can overhaul the entire system one day. Thanks for sharing your side of the story Richard.
On a related note, I'm wondering whether you ever got to actually spend/use any of your winnings before/after you were in prison? Or was it all taken from you?